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Citation preview

Sinquefield Cup 2015 Special Gold Pieces Edition

Levon Aronian’s Best Games

Levon Aronian’s Best Games Copyright © 2012 © 2015 by Chess Club Live GM Best Games Series

Chess Club Live is a chess community for discussion about chess between chess players. Acknowledgment We would like to thank all our fans, followers and dedicated club members. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from Chess Club Live Printed in the United Kingdom. All Rights Reserved. © Chess Club Live 2012 Chess Production © Chess Club Live 2015 Chess Production Printed in United States of America

Foreword This chess book amazes me. Firstly it is not annotated by a human, it is annotated by Houdini Chess Engine. It has no recommendations or contributions from any titled chess player. What makes it relevant is the single fact that it was made by a group of ordinary people who love chess and want to play chess, share chess and discover chess with like-minded people. This breaks the rules but for all the right reasons. Michael Mkpadi Chess Fan, FIDE Arena Master & Software Engineer

July 2015

Preface This series of books tell the story of Grandmaster Chess in the new millennium. Chess has changed profoundly in the age of Social Media. These books represent the power of conversation in chess. The discussion is happening everywhere and anyone who picks up this book is participating. The book is available online free of charge and costs nothing but your time to download. Printed copies are available as a Perk in our Indiegogo crowd funding project for our nominated charities. Please join the conversation Chess Club Live www.chessclublive.com July 2012

Introduction My earliest memory of chess was picking the book “Alexander Alekhine Best Games” published by Batsford. This book had a profound impact on me and I read it from cover to cover and inspired me to play chess and love chess more and more with each passing day. Levon Aronian is made of the same stuff as my hero Alekhine and it seems fitting after all those years I write a book about the Levon’s best games in the style of my beloved book.

The book is divided into three parts like a chess game it is seamless and interconnected with each other part, but represents a distinct stage in our Levon’s development

Every page tells a story of the genius of Levon Aronian and speaks of the great beauty of attacking chess. Enjoy Michael, CEO Chess Club Live

Dedication To My Beloved Wife, Daughter and Son My Brother and Sister Mum and Dad And Caissa

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Preface .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Dedication ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Games ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Escape Velocity ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Simply Irrestible ........................................................................................................................................................ 144 Chess Gangsta ........................................................................................................................................................... 245 INDEX ........................................................................................................................................................................ 258 Openings and Players ............................................................................................................................................ 258 Selected Endgames ............................................................................................................................................... 260 Selected Sacrifices ................................................................................................................................................. 260 Selected Strategic Themes .................................................................................................................................... 260 Brilliancy - showered Gold coins on the chessboard! ........................................................................................... 260

Games

Escape Velocity

30.Qxg5 “Tactics flow from a superior position.” - Bobby Fischer

1

Levon Aronian's Best Games 1 Levon Aronian Slobodan Munizaba Wch U12 Bratislava (1)

B23 0-0 13.Na3-c4 Ra8-b8 14.Bc1-d2 Nf6-d7 15.Qd1-h5 Nd7xe5 16.Qh5xe5 Qc7xe5 17.Nc4xe5 Rb8xb2 1993 18.Ne5xc6 -0.12/16 ] 7.0-0

B23: Closed Sicilian: Lines without g3 1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6 3.f2-f4 d7-d6 4.Ng1-f3 e7-e6 5.Bf1-c4 Standard Book moves end here Ng8-f6 [Houdini annotates: 5...a7-a6 6.b2-b3 b7-b5 7.Bc4-d3 Bf8-e7 8.0-0 Bc8-b7 9.f4-f5 e6xf5 10.e4xf5 Ng8-f6 11.a2-a4 b5-b4 12.Nc3-e4 0-0 13.Bc1-b2 Nc6-d4 14.Ne4xf6+ Be7xf6 15.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 -0.04/15 ] 6.d2-d3 [Houdini annotates: 6.0-0 d6-d5 7.e4xd5 e6xd5 8.Bc4-b5 Bf8-e7 9.Rf1-e1 d5-d4 10.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 11.Re1xe4 0-0 12.Qd1-e2 Bc8-e6 13.b2-b3 Qd8-c7 14.Re4xe6 f7xe6 15.Qe2xe6+ Kg8-h8 -0.06/14 ] 6...Bf8-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 6...d6-d5 7.Bc4-b5 d5-d4 8.Bb5xc6+ b7xc6 9.Nc3-b1 Bf8-e7 10.0-0 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqk+-tr0{ 9zp-+-vlpzpp0 1 9-+p+psn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+-zpPzP-+0 9+-+P+N+-0 9PzPP+-+PzP0 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qd8-c7 11.Nf3-e5 Bc8-a6 12.Nb1-a3

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 7.e4-e5 d6xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 7.e4-e5 d6xe5 8.Nf3xe5 0-0 9.Ne5xc6 b7xc6 10.Qd1-e2 Qd8-d4 11.Bc1-e3 Qd4-d8 12.0-0 Nf6-d5 13.Be3-c1 f7-f5 14.Bc4-b3 Be7-f6 15.Nc3xd5 c6xd5 16.c2-c3 Qd8-d6 17.Bc1-e3 Bc8-d7 18.Ra1-e1 Ra8-b8 19.Be3-f2 -0.02/16 ] 7...0-0 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 7...a7-a6 8.Qd1-e1 b7-b5 9.Bc4-b3 Bc8-b7 10.f4-f5 e6xf5 11.e4xf5 d6-d5 12.a2-a4 c5-c4 13.a4xb5 a6xb5 14.Ra1xa8 Bb7xa8 15.d3xc4 b5xc4 16.Bb3-a4 0-0 17.Bc1-e3 Nf6-g4 -0.13/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0 9zpp+-vlpzpp0 2 9-+nzppsn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+L+PzP-+0 9+-sNP+N+-0 9PzPP+-+PzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 8.Qd1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 8.Bc4-b3 a7-a6 9.Qd1-e1 d6-d5 10.e4xd5 e6xd5 11.Nf3-e5 Nc6-d4 12.Nc3-e2 Nd4xb3 13.a2xb3 Nf6-g4 14.Qe1-g3 h7-h5 15.Bc1-d2 Qd8-d6 16.Rf1-e1 Rf8-e8 -0.07/15 ] 8...a7-a6 Secures b5 [Houdini annotates: 8...d6-d5 9.Bc4-b3 Ra8-b8 10.e4xd5 e6xd5 11.Nf3-e5 Rf8-e8 12.Qe1-f2 Nc6-d4 13.Bc1-d2 b7-b5 14.Rf1-e1 Be7-d6 15.h2-h3 Bc8-b7 16.Bd2-e3 Qd8-b6 17.Be3xd4 c5xd4 -0.20/15 ] 9.a2-a4 [ 9.e4-e5 Nf6-g4 10.h2-h3

2 Ng4-h6 11.e5xd6 Be7xd6= ; Houdini annotates: 9.Bc4-b3 d6-d5 10.e4xd5 e6xd5 11.Nf3-e5 Bc8-f5

3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 12.Bc1-d2 Rf8-e8 13.Qe1-g3 c5-c4 14.d3xc4 Be7-c5+ 15.Kg1-h1 d5xc4 16.Ne5xc4 Nf6-g4 17.h2-h3 Re8-e6 18.Ra1-d1 -0.02/15 ] 9...Qd8-c7 [ 9...d6-d5 10.Bc4-b3³ ;Houdini 2.0c : 9...d6-d5 10.Bc4-b3 Nc6-d4 11.e4-e5 Nd4xf3+ 12.Rf1xf3 Nf6-g4 13.h2-h3 Ng4-h6 14.g2-g4 Be7-h4 15.Qe1-e2 Qd8-c7 16.a4-a5 Bc8-d7 17.f4-f5 d5-d4 18.f5xe6 f7xe6 19.Nc3-e4 Qc7xe5 20.Bc1xh6 g7xh6 -0.28/16 ] 10.Bc1-d2 [ 10.e4-e5 d6xe5 11.f4xe5 Nf6-d7² ;Houdini annotates: 10.e4-e5 Nf6-g4 11.e5xd6 Qc7xd6 12.Nc3-e4 Qd6-c7 13.c2-c3 Bc8-d7 14.Qe1-g3 Ng4-f6 15.Bc1-e3 Nc6-a5 16.Ne4xf6+ Be7xf6 17.Nf3-e5 Ra8-d8 18.Bc4-a2 Bd7xa4 19.b2-b4 c5xb4 20.c3xb4 0.12/16 ] 10...Rf8-d8 [ 10...Nc6-d4!? is interesting 11.Qe1-d1 Bc8-d7³ ;Houdini annotates: 10...Nc6-d4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0 9+pwq-vlpzpp0 3 9p+-zppsn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9P+LsnPzP-+0 9+-sNP+N+-0 9-zPPvL-+PzP0 9tR-+-wQRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 11.Ra1-c1 Bc8-d7 12.a4-a5 13.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 14.Nc3-e2 15.Ne2xd4 d6-d5 16.Bc4-a2 17.b2-b4 Be7-d6 18.Qe1-g3

Bd7-c6 Bc6xe4 Be4-g6 Qc7-e7

19.Rc1-b1 Ra8-c8 -0.29/15 ] 11.e4-e5² [Houdini annotates: 11.Bc4-b3 d6-d5 12.e4-e5 Nf6-g4 13.a4-a5 c5-c4 14.d3xc4 d5xc4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 15.Bb3xc4 Nc6xa5 16.Bc4-d3 Na5-b3 15.Bb3xc4 Nc6xa5 16.Bc4-d3 Na5-b3 17.Bd3xh7+ Kg8xh7 18.c2xb3 Qc7-b6+ 19.Kg1-h1 Qb6xb3 20.Nc3-e4 Qb3xb2 21.Qe1-g3 Ng4-h6 22.Bd2-a5 Rd8-d5 23.Ba5-c3 Qb2-c2 0.07/15 ] 11...d6xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 11...Nf6-g4 12.e5xd6 Be7xd6 13.Nc3-e4 Bd6-e7 14.a4-a5 Bc8-d7 15.Qe1-g3 Ng4-h6 16.Qg3-f2 Nc6-b4 17.Rf1-c1 Nb4-d5 18.Nf3-e5 Nh6-f5 19.Ne5xd7 Rd8xd7 20.Rc1-e1 Ra8-e8 0.00/16 ] 12.f4xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 12.f4xe5 Nf6-d7 13.Bd2-g5 h7-h6 14.Bg5xe7 Nc6xe7 15.Qe1-f2 Ne7-g6 16.Ra1-e1 Ra8-b8 17.Qf2-g3 Ng6-e7 18.Rf1-f2 Ne7-f5 19.Qg3-f4 Nd7-b6 20.Bc4-a2 Bc8-d7 21.a4-a5 0.13/15 ] 12...Nf6-d5 [Houdini annotates: 12...Nf6-d7 13.Bd2-f4 Nd7-b6 14.Qe1-g3 Nc6-b4 15.Bf4-h6 Be7-f8 16.Bc4-b3 c5-c4 17.d3xc4 Nb6xc4 18.Nc3-e4 Nb4-d5 19.Bb3xc4 Qc7xc4 20.Ne4-d6 Qc4xc2 21.Nf3-d4 Qc2-g6 22.Qg3xg6 f7xg6 23.Bh6-g5 Bf8xd6 24.Bg5xd8 Bd6xe5 0.01/14 ] 13.Qe1-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 13.Qe1-f2 h7-h6 14.Qf2-g3 Kg8-h8 15.Nc3e4 b7-b6 16.Ra1-c1 Bc8-b7 17.c2c3 Ra8-c8 18.Qg3-g4 Rd8-d7 19.Rf1-f2 Rc8-d8 20.d3-d4 c5xd4 21.c3xd4 0.16/15 ] 13...Nc6-d4? [ ¹13...f7-f5² and Black is still in the game ; Houdini annotates: 13...f7-f5 14.e5xf6 Qc7xg3 15.f6-f7+ Kg8xf7 16.h2xg3 Kf7-g8 17.Ra1-e1 Be7-f6 18.Nc3-e4 Bf6xb2 19.Ne4xc5 Nc6-d4 20.Re1-e4 Nd5-f6 21.Nc5xe6 Bc8xe6 22.Bc4xe6+ Kg8-h8 23.Re4-e1 Nd4xc2 24.Re1-b1 Bb2-d4+ 25.Kg1-h2 Nc2-e3 26.Bd2xe3 Bd4xe3 27.Rb1xb7 Rd8xd3 0.19/14 ]

4 14.Nf3xd4+- [Houdini annotates: 14.Nf3xd4 Nd5xc3 15.b2xc3 c5xd4 16.c3xd4 Rd8xd4 17.Qg3-f2 Be7-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 Ra8-d8 23.h2-h3 h7-h6 24.Rf4-d4 Qc7-c5 25.c2-c3 Rd8-c8 26.Ra1-b1 Be8-c6 1.00/17 ] 14...Nd5xc3 [Houdini annotates: 14...Nd5xc3 15.b2xc3 c5xd4 16.c3xd4 Rd8xd4 17.Qg3-f2 Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 h7-h6 23.c2-c3 Ra8-c8 24.Rf4-d4 Be8-c6 25.Rd4-d6 h6-h5 26.Qe3-f2 Bc6-e4 1.10/15 ] 15.b2xc3 [ 15.Qg3-f3 Rd8-f8 16.b2xc3 c5xd4 17.c3xd4 Bc8-d7+- ;Houdini annotates: 15.Qg3-f3 Rd8-f8 16.b2xc3 c5xd4 17.c3xd4 Bc8-d7 18.Qf3-g3 Kg8-h8 19.Rf1-f4 f7-f5 20.a4-a5 Bd7-b5 21.Ra1-b1 Bb5xc4 22.d3xc4 Ra8-d8 23.Bd2-b4 Be7xb4 24.Rb1xb4 0.98/15 ] 15...c5xd4 [Houdini annotates: 15...c5xd4 16.c3xd4 Rd8xd4 17.Qg3-f2 Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 h7-h6 23.Rf4-h4 Ra8-d8 24.Rh4-e4 Qc7-e7 25.Re4-g4 Be8-c6 26.Ra1-f1 Kg8-h7 27.Rg4-d4 Qe7-c5 28.c2-c3 0.97/16 ] 16.c3xd4 [Houdini annotates: 16.c3xd4 Rd8xd4 17.Qg3-f2 Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 h7-h6 23.Rf4-h4 Ra8-d8 24.Rh4-e4 Qc7-e7 25.Re4-g4 Qe7-c7 26.c2-c3 Be8-c6 27.Rg4-d4 Rd8-c8 28.Rd4-d6 Rc8-e8 29.Qe3-b6 0.78/17 ] 16...Rd8xd4 [Houdini annotates: 16...Rd8xd4 Diagram (Diagram 4) 17.Qg3-f2 Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4

5 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 h7-h6 23.Rf4-h4 Ra8-d8 24.Rh4-e4 Qc7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-+k+0 9+pwq-vlpzpp0 4 9p+-+p+-+0 9+-+-zP-+-0 9P+Ltr-+-+0 9+-+P+-wQ-0 9-+PvL-+PzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 25.Re4-g4 Be8-c6 26.Ra1-f1 Kg8-h7 27.Rg4-d4 Qe7-c5 28.c2-c3 0.95/18 ] 17.Qg3-f2 [Houdini annotates: 17.Bd2-h6 Be7-f8 18.Bc4-b3 Rd4-d8 19.Kg1-h1 g7-g6 20.Bh6-g5 Bf8-e7 21.a4-a5 Be7xg5 22.Qg3xg5 Rd8-f8 23.Qg5-f4 Bc8-d7 24.c2-c4 Bd7-c6 0.63/15 ] 17...Be7-f8? [ 17...Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7+- ;Houdini annotates: 17...Be7-c5 18.Bd2-e3 Rd4xc4 19.d3xc4 Bc5xe3 20.Qf2xe3 Bc8-d7 21.Rf1-f4 Bd7-e8 22.a4-a5 h7-h6 23.Rf4-h4 Ra8-d8 24.Rh4-e4 Qc7-e7 25.Re4-g4 Be8-c6 26.Ra1-f1 Kg8-h7 27.Rg4-d4 Qe7-c5 28.c2-c3 0.95/17 ] 18.Bd2-a5 [ 18.Qf2xd4 is not possible Bf8-c5 19.Bd2-e3 Bc5xd4 20.Be3xd4 Bc8-d7-+ ;Houdini annotates: 18.Bd2-a5 Qc7-d7 19.Bc4xe6 Qd7xe6 20.Qf2xd4 Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Bc8-e6 22.Ba5-b4 Bf8xb4 23.Qd4xb4 Ra8-d8 24.Qb4-e7 Qc6-c8 25.Ra1-b1 Rd8-d7 26.Qe7-b4 Qc8-c6 27.Rb1-e1 h7-h6 28.Re1-e4 Qc6-c7 29.Re4-d4 Qc7xe5 30.Rd4xd7 Be6xd7 31.Qb4xb7 Qe5-a1+ 32.Rf2-f1 Qa1-d4+

6 33.Kg1-h1 Qd4xa4 34.c2-c4 2.24/19 ] 18...Qc7-d7 [Houdini annotates: 18...Qc7-d7 19.Bc4xe6 Qd7xe6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 20.Qf2xd4 Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Bc8-e6 22.Ba5-b4 Bf8xb4 23.Qd4xb4 Ra8-d8 24.Qb4-e7 Qc6-c8 25.Ra1-b1 Rd8-d7 26.Qe7-b4 h7-h6 27.a4-a5 Qc8-c7 28.Rf2-e2 Kg8-h7 29.h2-h3 Kh7-g8 30.Kg1-h2 Kg8-h8 31.d3-d4 Qc7-c6 32.Kh2-g1 Be6-c4 2.57/20 ] 19.Bc4xe6! Deflection: d4 [Houdini 2. 0c : 19.Bc4xe6 Qd7xe6 20.Qf2xd4 Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Qc6-c5 22.Ba5-b6 Qc5xd4 23.Bb6xd4 Bc8-e6 24.Ra1-b1 Ra8-d8 25.Bd4-b6 Rd8-d5 26.d3-d4 Rd5-d7 27.Rf2-f4 Bf8-e7 28.Rf4-f3 f7-f6 29.Rb1-e1 f6xe5 30.Re1xe5 Be6-d5 31.Rf3-f2 Be7-f6 2.52/19 ] 19...Qd7xe6 [ 19...Qd7xe6 20.Qf2xd4 Overloading Deflection ; 19...f7xe6 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-vlk+0 9+p+q+-zpp0 5 9p+-+p+-+0 9vL-+-zP-+-0 9P+-tr-+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-+P+-wQPzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 20.Qf2xf8# Mate attack Deflection Pinning ; …19...-- 20.Be6xd7 Wins material ;Houdini annotates: 19...Qd7xe6 20.Qf2xd4 Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Bc8-e6 22.Ba5-b4 Bf8xb4 23.Qd4xb4 Ra8-d8 24.Qb4-e7 Qc6-c8 25.Ra1-b1 Rd8-d7 26.Qe7-b4 Qc8-c6 27.a4-a5 h7-h6 28.Rb1-e1 Qc6-d5 29.h2-h3 Rd7-d8 30.Rf2-f3 Rd8-c8

7 31.c2-c4 Qd5-d4+ 32.Kg1-h1 2.56/18 ] 20.Qf2xd4 [Houdini annotates: 20.Qf2xd4 Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Qc6-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 22.Ba5-b6 Qc5xd4 23.Bb6xd4 Bc8-e6 22.Ba5-b6 Qc5xd4 23.Bb6xd4 Bc8-e6 24.Ra1-b1 Ra8-d8 25.Bd4-b6 Rd8-d5 26.d3-d4 Rd5-d7 27.Rf2-f4 Be6-a2 28.Rb1-f1 Ba2-c4 29.Rf1-f3 Bc4-d5 30.Rf3-g3 Bf8-b4 2.29/16 ] 20...Bc8-d7 [Houdini annotates: 20...Qe6-c6 21.Rf1-f2 Qc6-c5 22.Ba5-b6 Qc5xd4 23.Bb6xd4 Bc8-e6 24.Ra1-b1 Ra8-d8 25.Bd4-b6 Rd8-d5 26.d3-d4 Rd5-d7 27.Rf2-f4 Be6-a2 28.Rb1-f1 Ba2-c4 29.Rf1-f3 Bc4-d5 30.Rf3-g3 Bf8-b4 2.47/17 ] 21.Ba5-b4 [Houdini annotates: 21.Ba5-b4 Bf8xb4 22.Qd4xb4 Bd7-c6 23.Qb4-b3 Qe6xb3 24.c2xb3 Ra8-d8 25.Ra1-d1 Kg8-f8 26.d3-d4 Bc6-d5 27.Rd1-d3 Rd8-c8 28.h2-h4 Kf8-e7 29.Rd3g3 g7-g6 30.Rg3-e3 h7-h5 31.Rf1f2 a6-a5 2.47/18 ] 21...Bf8xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Bf8xb4 22.Qd4xb4 Bd7-c6 23.Qb4-b3 Qe6-e7 24.Rf1-f2 Ra8-d8 25.Ra1-f1 Bc6-d5 26.Qb3-b6 Bd5-e6 27.a4-a5 h7-h6 28.Rf2-f4 Rd8-d5 29.d3-d4 Rd5-b5 30.Qb6-d6 Qe7xd6 31.e5xd6 Rb5xa5 2.45/16 ] 22.Qd4xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qd4xb4 Ra8-c8 23.Qb4xb7 Rc8xc2 24.Ra1b1 g7-g6 25.Rb1-b2 Rc2xb2 26.Qb7xb2 Bd7xa4 27.Rf1-f6 Qe6-c8 28.Rf6-b6 Ba4-b5 29.Rb6-d6 Qc8-c7 30.h2-h3 Qc7-e7 31.Kg1-h2 Qe7-h4 2.30/12 ] 22...Bd7-c6 [Houdini annotates: 22...Ra8-c8 23.Qb4xb7 Rc8xc2 24.Ra1-b1 g7-g6 25.Rb1-b2 Rc2xb2 26.Qb7xb2 Bd7xa4 27.Rf1-f6 Qe6-c8 28.Rf6-b6 Ba4-b5 29.Rb6-d6 Qc8-c7 30.h2-h3 Qc7-e7 31.Kg1-h2 Qe7-h4 2.51/13 ] 23.Qb4-f4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Ra1-e1 h7-h6 24.Rf1f2 Ra8-d8 25.h2-h3 Qe6-d5 26.a4-a5

8 Rd8-e8 27.d3-d4 Re8-d8 28.c2-c3 Bc6-b5 29.Qb4-e7 Rd8-e8 30.Qe7-c7 2.48/14 ] 23...Ra8-c8 [ Houdini annotates: 23...Ra8-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Rf1-f2 h7-h6 25.Ra1-e1 a6-a5 26.Re1-f1 Qe6xe5 27.Qf4xe5 Re8xe5 28.Rf2xf7 Re5-g5 29.g2-g3 Bc6xa4 30.c2-c4 Ba4-c2 31.Rf1-f3 b7-b6 32.Rf7-b7 Rg5-g6 33.Kg1-f2 a5-a4 34.d3-d4 Rg6-c6 2.19/15 ] 24.c2-c4 [ 24.a4-a5 keeps an even firmer grip Rc8-d8+- ;Houdini annotates: 24.Qf4-f5 Qe6xf5 25.Rf1xf5 Rc8-e8 26.Ra1-f1 Re8-e7 27.Rf5-f4 Re7xe5 28.Rf4xf7 h7-h5 29.Rf7-f5 Re5-e2 30.Rf5-f2 Re2-e5 31.d3-d4 Re5-e4 32.c2-c3 Re4-e3 33.Rf2-f8+ Kg8-h7 34.c3-c4 Bc6xa4 35.d4-d5 Re3-c3 36.Rf8-f7 b7-b5 37.c4xb5 Ba4xb5 2.53/16 ] 24...Qe6-g6 [ 24...Rc8-d8 cannot undo what has already been done 25.Qf4-g3+;Houdini annotates: 24...Rc8-d8 25.Ra1-a3 a6-a5 26.Qf4-g3 Qe6-d7 27.Rf1-f4 Bc6xa4 28.d3-d4 b7-b5 29.c4xb5 Rd8-c8 30.Qg3-e1 Ba4xb5 31.Ra3xa5 Bb5-c6 32.Qe1-g3 Bc6-d5 33.Ra5-c5 Rc8-b8 2.26/15 ] 25.Qf4-g3 [ 25.Rf1-f2 keeps an even firmer grip Bc6-e8 26.Qf4-e3 Rc8-d8+- ;Houdini annotates: 25.Rf1-f2 Bc6-e8 26.Qf4d4 h7-h6 27.Ra1-f1 b7-b5 28.c4xb5 a6xb5 29.a4-a5 Rc8-a8 30.Qd4-d5 Qg6-a6 31.e5-e6 f7-f6 32.e6-e7+ Be8-f7 33.Qd5-d8+ Bf7-e8 34.Rf1-a1 b5-b4 35.Rf2-c2 b4-b3 36.Rc2-b2 Qa6-a7+ 37.d3-d4 3.12/16 ] 25...Qg6-e6 [ 25...Qg6xg3 is not the saving move 26.h2xg3 Rc8-d8 27.Ra1-a3+- ;Houdini annotates: 25...Qg6xg3 26.h2xg3 Rc8-d8 27.Ra1-a3 a6-a5 28.Rf1-f5 Rd8-d7 29.Rf5-f4 h7-h6 30.Kg1-f2 Rd7-d8 31.g3-g4 Rd8-d7 32.Kf2-g3 Rd7-d8

9 33.c4-c5 Bc6-d5 34.d3-d4 Kg8-h7 2.67/15 ] 26.Rf1-f6 [Houdini annotates: 26.Rf1-f6 Qe6-e7 27.Ra1f1 Rc8-f8 28.e5-e6 Bc6-e8 29.e6xf7+ Rf8xf7 30.Rf6xf7 Be8xf7 31.d3-d4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bf7-g6 32.Qg3-e5 Qe7xe5 33.d4xe5 Bf7-g6 32.Qg3-e5 Qe7xe5 33.d4xe5 Bg6-d3 34.Rf1-f4 g7-g5 35.Rf4-d4 Bd3-f5 36.Rd4-d6 Bf5-e4 37.Rd6-d7 Kg8-f8 38.Kg1-f2 Kf8-e8 39.e5e6 h7-h6 40.a4-a5 h6-h5 41.Kf2g3 Be4-f5 42.Rd7xb7 Bf5xe6 43.c4-c5 4.35/19 ] 26...Qe6-e7 [Houdini annotates : 26...Qe6-e7 27.Ra1-f1 Rc8-f8 28.e5-e6 Bc6-e8 29.e6xf7+ Rf8xf7 30.Rf6xf7 Be8xf7 31.d3-d4 Bf7-g6 32.Qg3-e5 Qe7xe5 33.d4xe5 Bg6-d3 34.Rf1-f4 g7-g5 35.Rf4-d4 Bd3-f5 36.Rd4-d6 Bf5-e4 37.Rd6-d7 Kg8-f8 38.Kg1-f2 Kf8-e8 39.e5-e6 h7-h5 40.a4-a5 Be4-c6 41.Rd7-g7 g5-g4 42.Kf2-g3 4.59/16 ] 27.Ra1f1 [ Houdini annotates: 27.Ra1-f1 Rc8-f8 28.e5-e6 Bc6-e8 29.e6xf7+ Rf8xf7 30.Rf6xf7 Be8xf7 31.d3-d4 Bf7-g6 32.Qg3-e5 Qe7xe5 33.d4xe5 Bg6-d3 34.Rf1-f4 g7-g5 35.Rf4-d4 Bd3-f5 36.Rd4-d6 Bf5-e4 37.Rd6-d7 Kg8-f8 38.Kg1-f2 Kf8-e8 39.e5-e6 h7-h5 40.a4-a5 Be4-c6 41.Rd7-g7 g5-g4 42.Kf2-g3 4.31/17 ] 27...Qe7-c5+ [ 27...Bc6-e8+what else? ;Houdini annotates: 27...Rc8-f8 28.e5-e6 Bc6-e8 29.e6xf7+ Rf8xf7 30.Rf6xf7 Be8xf7 31.d3-d4 h7-h6 32.d4-d5 Qe7-e8 33.a4-a5 Qe8-e2 34.Qg3-c3 Qe2-e7 35.Qc3-d4 Qe7-e8 36.h2-h3 Qe8-e2 37.Qd4-b6 Qe2-e7 38.d5-d6 Qe7-d7 39.Qb6-c7 4.17/15 ] 28.Kg1-h1 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Kg1-h1 Qc5-e7 29.Rf6xf7 Qe7xf7 30.Rf1xf7 Kg8xf7 31.e5-e6+ Kf7-g8 32.a4-a5 Bc6-e8 33.Qg3-e5 g7-g6 34.Qe5-f6 Rc8-b8 35.e6-e7 Be8-f7 36.Qf6-b6

10 Rb8-e8 37.Qb6xb7 Bf7-e6 38.Qb7xa6 Kg8-f7 39.Qa6-d6 Re8xe7 40.a5-a6 h7-h5 41.Kh1-g1 Re7-d7 42.Qd6-f4+ Be6-f5 43.Kg1-f2 Rd7-a7 5.98/17 ] 28...Bc6-e8 [Houdini annotates: 28...Qc5-e7 29.Rf6xf7 Qe7xf7

11

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Rf1xf7 Kg8xf7 31.e5-e6+ Kf7-g8 32.a4-a5 Bc6-e8 33.Qg3-e5 Rc8-c6 34.Kh1-g1 Kg8-f8 35.Kg1-f2 Kf8-g8 36.Kf2-f3 h7-h6 37.Kf3-f4 g7-g6 38.g2-g4 Rc6-c8 39.g4-g5 h6-h5 40.e6-e7 Kg8-h7 41.Qe5-b2 Rc8-b8 42.h2-h4 5.97/16 ] 29.e5-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 29.e5-e6 Rc8-c7 30.d3-d4 Qc5xc4 31.d4-d5 h7-h5 32.d5-d6 h5-h4 33.Qg3-g5 Rc7-c5 34.e6xf7+ Be8xf7 35.d6-d7 Rc5xg5 36.d7-d8Q+ Kg8-h7 37.Rf6xf7 Qc4-g4 38.Qd8-d2 h4-h3 39.Qd2-d3+ Rg5-g6 40.Qd3xh3+ Qg4xh3 41.g2xh3 b7-b5 42.a4xb5 a6xb5 43.Rf7-b7 Rg6-g5 44.Rf1-g1 Rg5-c5 45.Rb7xg7+ Kh7-h6 46.Rg7-g8 6.20/16 ] 29...f7xe6 [Houdini annotates: 29...f7xe6 30.Qg3-g4 Rc8-c6 31.Qg4-g5 Qc5-d6 32.c4-c5 h7-h6 33.c5xd6 h6xg5 34.Rf6-f8+ Kg8-h7 35.Rf8xe8 Rc6xd6 36.Rf1-b1 b7-b5 37.a4xb5 Rd6-b6 38.Kh1-g1 a6xb5 39.Rb1-e1 b5-b4 40.Re8xe6 Rb6-b5 41.Re1-e5 Rb5-b8 42.Re5-e2 Rb8-b7 43.Re2-b2 Kh7-g8 44.d3-d4 Kg8-f7 45.d4-d5 b4-b3 46.Kg1-f2 Rb7-b5 47.Re6-a6 Rb5-b8 48.d5-d6 Kf7-e6 49.Kf2-e3 6.57/17 ] 30.Qg3-g5!! Mate attack [Houdini annotates: 30.Qg3-g4 Rc8-c6 31.Qg4-g5 Qc5-d6 32.c4-c5 h7-h6 33.c5xd6 h6xg5 34.Rf6-f8+ Kg8-h7 35.Rf8xe8 Rc6xd6 36.Rf1-b1 Rd6xd3 37.Re8xe6 Rd3-d7 38.Re6-b6 Rd7-d4 39.Rb6-b4 Rd4-d2 40.Kh1-g1 Rd2-a2 41.Rb4-g4 Kh7-h6 42.Rb1xb7 g7-g6 43.Rb7-b6 a6-a5 44.Rg4-d4 Ra2-e2 45.Rd4-d6 6.31/17 ] 30...Qc5-b4 [ 30...Qc5xg5 31.Rf6-f8# Mate attack ; …30...-- 31.Qg5xc5 Threat Rc8xc5 32.Rf6-f8#

Mate attack ;Houdini annotates: 30...Qc5-a3 31.Qg5-e5 g7xf6 32.Qe5xe6+ Be8-f7 33.Qe6xc8+ Kg8-g7 34.Qc8-g4+ Bf7-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 35.Qg4-d7+ Bg6-f7 36.Rf1-b1 h7-h5 35.Qg4-d7+ Bg6-f7 36.Rf1-b1 h7-h5 37.h2-h3 Qa3-a2 38.Qd7xb7 Qa2xa4 39.Rb1-f1 Qa4-a5 40.Qb7-c6 Qa5-e5 41.Qc6xa6 Bf7-g6 42.Qa6-b7+ Kg7-h6 43.Qb7-d5 Qe5xd5 44.c4xd5 Bg6xd3 45.Rf1xf6+ Kh6-g5 46.Rf6-e6 4.78/16 ] 31.Qg5-a5!! Mate attack [Houdini annotates: 31.Qg5-d2 Qb4-d6 32.Rf6-f8+ Qd6xf8 33.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 34.Qd2-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 g7-g6 38.Qb6xe6+ Be8-f7 39.Qe6-d6 Ra8-e8 40.Kh1-g1 Re8-e1+ 41.Kg1-f2 Re1-e6 42.Qd6-d7 Re6-f6+ 43.Kf2-e3 Kg8-f8 44.d3-d4 Bf7-e8 45.Qd7xh7 Be8-c6 46.g2-g3 Rf6-f3+ 47.Ke3-e2 Rf3-f6 48.Ke2-d3 Kf8-e8 49.Qh7-g7 Rf6-e6 50.a4-a5 Ke8-d8 51.Qg7-f8+ Kd8-c7 52.Qf8-f7+ Bc6-d7 5.62/17 ] 31...Qb4-a3 [ 31...Qb4xa5 32.Rf6-f8# Mate attack ; …31...-- 32.Qa5xb4 Wins material ; Houdini annotates: 31...Qb4-e7 32.Rf6-f8+ Qe7xf8 33.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 g7-g6 38.Qb6xe6+ Be8-f7 39.Qe6-d6 Ra8-e8 40.Kh1-g1 Re8-e1+ 41.Kg1-f2 Re1-e6 42.Qd6-d7 Re6-f6+ 43.Kf2-e3 Kg8-f8 44.d3-d4 Bf7-e8 45.Qd7xh7 Be8-c6 46.g2-g3 Rf6-f3+ 47.Ke3-e2 Rf3-f6 48.Ke2-d3 Kf8-e8 49.Qh7-g7 Rf6-e6 50.a4-a5 Ke8-d8 51.Qg7-f8+ Kd8-c7 52.Qf8-f7+ Bc6-d7 5.83/18 ] 32.Rf6-f8+! the death sentence [ Houdini annotates: 32.Rf6-f8+ Qa3xf8 33.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Rc8-f8 41.h2-h3 Bd7-c8 42.Qd6-d5+ Rf8-f7 43.Kh1-h2 g7-g6 44.Kh2-g3 e5-e4 45.Qd5xe4

12 Rf7-f8 46.Qe4-e7 Rf8-f7 47.Qe7-d8+ Rf7-f8 48.d3-d4 5.66/16 ] 32...Qa3xf8

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 32...Qa3xf8 33.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 Be8-g6 38.Qb6xe6+ Bg6-f7 39.Qe6-b6 Ra8-e8 40.Kh1-g1 a6-a5 41.c5-c6 Bf7-d5 42.c6-c7 Re8-a8 43.Qb6-c5 Bd5-e6 44.Qc5-d6 Kg8-f7 45.Qd6-e5 Ra8-c8 46.Qe5xa5 h7-h6 47.d3-d4 Kf7-e7 48.d4-d5 4.76/1 ] 33.Rf1xf8+ [Houdini annotates: 33.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 Be8-g6 38.Qb6xe6+ Bg6-f7 39.Qe6-b6 Ra8-e8 40.Kh1-g1 a6-a5 41.c5-c6 Bf7-d5 42.c6-c7 Re8-a8 43.Qb6-c5 Bd5-e6 44.Qc5-d6 Kg8-f7 45.Qd6-e5 Ra8-c8 46.Qe5xa5 h7-h6 47.d3-d4 Kf7-e7 48.d4-d5 4.35/9 ] 33...Kg8xf8 [Houdini annotates: 33...Kg8xf8 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6-d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3-d4 Kf8-f7 44.d4-d5 Rc8-e8 45.Qe5-f4+ Kf7-e7 46.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-f7 47.d5-d6 Bd7-c8 48.Qb4-c4+ Kf7-f6 49.Qc4-d4+ Kf6-e6 4.83/1 ] 34.Qa5-b4+ [Houdini annotates: 34.Qa5-b4+ Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6-d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3-d4 Kf8-f7 44.d4-d5 Rc8-e8 45.Qe5-f4+ Kf7-e7 46.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-f7 47.d5-d6 Bd7-c8 48.Qb4-c4+ Kf7-f6 49.Qc4-d4+ Kf6-e6 4.53/12 ] 34...Kf8-g8 [Houdini annotates: 34...Kf8-g8 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7

13 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6-d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3-d4 Kf8-f7 44.d4-d5 Rc8-e8 45.Qe5-f4+ Kf7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 46.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-f7 47.d5-d6 Bd7-c8 46.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-f7 47.d5-d6 Bd7-c8 48.Qb4-c4+ Kf7-f6 49.Qc4d4+ Kf6-e6 4.64/13 ] 35.Qb4xb7 [ Houdini annotates: 35.Qb4xb7 Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3d4 Rc8-e8 44.Qe5-d6+ Re8-e7 45.Kh1-g1 Bd7-c8 46.d4-d5 Kf8-f7 47.Qd6-f4+ Kf7-e8 48.d5-d6 Re7-e2 49.Qf4-g5 4.74/14 ] 35...Rc8-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 35...Rc8-d8 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6-d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3-d4 Rc8-e8 44.Qe5-d6+ Re8-e7 45.Kh1-g1 Bd7-c8 46.d4-d5 Kf8-f7 47.Qd6f4+ Kf7-e8 48.d5-d6 Re7-e2 49.Qf4-g5 4.84/15 ] 36.Qb7-b6 [Houdini annotates: 36.Qb7-b6 Rd8-a8 37.c4c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3d4 Rc8-e8 44.Qe5-d6+ Re8-e7 45.Kh1-g1 Bd7-c8 46.d4-d5 Kf8-f7 47.Qd6-f4+ Kf7-e8 48.d5-d6 Re7-e2 49.Qf4-g5 4.74/16 ] 36...Rd8xd3 [ 36...Rd8-a8 is still a small chance 37.Qb6xe6+ Be8-f7+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 36...Rd8-a8 37.c4-c5 e6-e5 38.c5-c6 Ra8-c8 39.c6-c7 Be8-d7 40.Qb6-d6 Bd7-f5 41.Qd6-d5+ Kg8-f8 42.Qd5xe5 Bf5-d7 43.d3-d4 Kf8-f7 44.d4-d5 Rc8-e8 45.Qe5-f4+ Kf7-e7 46.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-f7 47.d5-d6 Kf7-e6 48.Kh1-g1 Bd7-c8 4.44/14 ]

14 37.Qb6xe6+ [Houdini annotates: 37.Qb6xe6+ Kg8-f8 38.Qe6-f5+ Kf8-e7 39.Qf5xd3 Be8-g6 40.Qd3-d4 Ke7-f7 41.a4-a5 Kf7-e6 42.Qd4xg7 Bg6-e4 43.Qg7-a7 Ke6-e5 44.Qa7xa6 Ke5-d4 45.Qa6-e6 Be4-d3 46.Qe6-d5+ Kd4-c3 47.c4-c5 Bd3-c4

15

Levon Aronian's Best Games 48.Qd5-b7 Kc3-d4 49.c5-c6 h7-h6 50.Qb7-g7+ Kd4-c5 51.Qg7xh6 10.57/12 ] 37...Kg8-f8 [Houdini annotates : 37...Kg8-f8 38.Qe6-f5+ Kf8-e7 39.Qf5xd3 Be8-g6 40.Qd3-d4 Ke7-f7 41.a4-a5 Kf7-e6 42.Qd4xg7 Bg6-e4 43.Qg7-a7 Ke6-e5 44.Qa7xa6 Ke5-d4 45.Qa6-e6 Be4-d3 46.Qe6-d5+ Kd4-c3 47.c4-c5 Bd3-c4 48.Qd5-b7 Kc3-d4 49.c5-c6 h7-h6 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+Q+-+-+-0 6 9-+P+-+-zp0 9zP-+-+-+-0 9-+lmk-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+PzP0 9+-+-+-+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 50.Qb7-g7+ Kd4-c5 51.Qg7xh6 10.66/13 ] 38.Qe6-f5+ [ 38.Qe6-f5+ Kf8-e7 39.Qf5xd3+- ;Houdini annotates: 38.Qe6-f5+ Kf8-e7 39.Qf5xd3 Be8-g6 40.Qd3-d4 Ke7-f7 41.a4-a5 Kf7-e6 42.Qd4xg7 Bg6-e4 43.Qg7-a7 Ke6-e5 44.Qa7xa6 Ke5-d4 45.Qa6-e6 Be4-d3 46.Qe6-d5+ Kd4-c3 47.c4-c5 Bd3-c4 48.Qd5-b7 Kc3-d4 49.c5-c6 h7-h6 50.Qb7-g7+ Kd4-c5 51.Qg7xh6 10.57/14 ] 1-0

2 2

A45 A45

Levon Aronian Iroda Khamrakulova Wch U12 Bratislava (3)

1993

D01: Veresov Opening 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.Nb1-c3 d7-d5 3.Bc1-g5 Nb8-d7 4.f2-f3 h7-h6 5.Bg5-h4 e7-e6 6.e2-e4 Bf8-e7 7.e4-e5 Nf6-h5 8.Bh4xe7 Qd8xe7 Standard Book moves end here 9.Ng1-e2 [ 9.Ng1-h3 c7-c5² ; Houdini annotates: 9.g2-g3 g7-g5 10.f3-f4 Nh5-g7 11.Qd1-d2 Nd7-b6 12.f4xg5 Qe7xg5 13.Ng1-f3 Qg5xd2+ 14.Ke1xd2 Bc8-d7 15.Bf1-d3 0-0-0 16.b2-b3 Kc8-b8 17.g3-g4 a7-a6 0.52/15 ] 9...g7-g5 [ 9...0-0 10.Qd1-d3 Nd7-b6 11.f3-f4² ;Houdini annotates: 9...b7-b5 10.Nc3xb5 0-0 11.Qd1-d3 Nd7-b6 12.g2-g3 a7-a6 13.Nb5-c3 Nb6-c4 14.b2-b3 Nc4-b2 15.Qd3-e3 Bc8-d7 16.Bf1-g2 Qe7-b4 0.15/13 ] 10.Qd1-d3 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 10.Qd1-d2 Nd7-b6 11.g2-g4 Nh5-g7 12.h2-h4 g5xh4 13.Ne2-f4 Bc8-d7 14.a2-a4 Bd7-c6 15.b2-b3 0-0-0 16.Bf1-d3 Kc8-b8 17.a4-a5 Nb6-d7 0.42/15 ] (Diagram 7) 10...Nd7-b6 [Houdini annotates: 10...a7-a6 11.0-0-0 b7-b5 12.g2-g4 Nh5-g7 13.Kc1-b1 b5-b4 14.Nc3-a4 Bc8-b7 15.f3-f4 Bb7-c6 16.Qd3-b3 h6-h5 17.g4xh5 g5xf4 18.Ne2xf4 Ng7xh5 19.Nf4xh5 Rh8xh5 20.Bf1-e2 Rh5-f5 0.24/15 ] 11.g2-g4 White threatens to win material: g4xh5 [ Houdini annotates: 11.g2-g3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Diagram Bc8-d7 12.a2-a4 0-0-0 13.b2-b3 Bd7-c6 14.Bf1-g2 Kc8-b8 15.0-0 f7-f6 16.a4-a5 Nb6-d7 17.Qd3-g6 Nh5-g7

16

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0{ 9zppzpnwqp+-0 7 9-+-+p+-zp0 9+-+pzP-zpn0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-sNQ+P+-0 9PzPP+N+PzP0 9tR-+-mKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0{ 9zppzp-wqp+-0 8 9-sn-+p+-zp0 9+-+pzP-zpn0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-sNQ+PzP-0 9PzPP+N+-zP0 9tR-+-mKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 18.f3-f4 g5xf4 19.e5xf6 Nd7xf6 20.Ne2xf4 0.25/16 ] 11...Nh5-g7 [ Houdini annotates: 11...Nh5-g7 12.h2-h4 g5xh4 13.a2-a4 h6-h5 14.b2-b3 Nb6-d7 15.0-0-0 Nd7-b8 16.Kc1-b1 Nb8-c6 17.Ne2-f4 Qe7-g5 18.Nc3-b5 Qg5xf4 19.Nb5xc7+ Ke8-e7 20.Nc7xa8 h5xg4 21.f3xg4 Qf4xg4 0.11/16 ] 12.Ne2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 12.h2-h4 g5xh4 13.Ne2-f4 Bc8-d7 14.0-0-0 0-0-0 15.Kc1-b1 h6-h5 16.Qd3-e3 Kc8-b8

17 17.b2-b3 Rh8-g8 18.Bf1-e2 h5xg4 19.f3xg4 a7-a6 20.Nf4-d3 0.26/15 ] 12...h6-h5 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 12...Bc8-d7 13.Qd3-e3 f7-f5 14.e5xf6 12...Bc8-d7 13.Qd3-e3 f7-f5 14.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 15.Bf1-d3 0-0-0 16.0-0-0 h6-h5 17.h2-h3 Kc8-b8 18.Kc1b1 Rd8-f8 19.Rh1-f1 a7-a6 20.b2b3 Qf6-f4 21.Qe3xf4 Rf8xf4 22.Ng3e2 0.13/15 ] 13.Bf1-e2 [Houdini annotates: 13.Qd3-e3 h5-h4 14.Ng3-e2 Nb6-c4 15.Qe3-c1 c7-c5 16.f3f4 Bc8-d7 17.f4xg5 a7-a6 18.b2-b3 c5xd4 19.b3xc4 d4xc3 20.Ne2xc3 Qe7-c5 21.Qc1-f4 b7-b5 22.Qf4f6 Qc5-d4 0.16/15 ] 13...Bc8d7 [ Houdini annotates: 13...f7-f5 14.g4xf5 e6xf5 15.Ng3-f1 Ng7e6 16.0-0-0 Ne6-f4 17.Qd3-d2 Nf4xe2+ 18.Qd2xe2 f5-f4 19.Qe2-d3 g5g4 20.Nf1-d2 Qe7-h7 21.Qd3xh7 Rh8xh7 22.Kc1-b1 Bc8-d7 0.24/13 ] 14.Qd3e3 [Houdini annotates: 14.0-0-0 Nb6-c4 15.Nc3-e4 0-0-0 16.Ne4f6 h5xg4 17.f3xg4 Kc8-b8 18.Qd3c3 Bd7-c6 19.Kc1-b1 a7-a6 20.Be2xc4 d5xc4 21.Ng3-e4 Ng7-e8 22.Qc3xc4 Ne8xf6 23.e5xf6 Qe7-d7 24.Qc4e2 Bc6-d5 25.b2-b3 0.25/15 ]

18 14...h5xg4 [ 14...f7-f5 15.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 16.0-0= ; Houdini annotates: 14...f7-f5 Diagram (Diagram 9) 15.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 16.0-0-0 h5-h4 17.Ng3-f1 0-0-0 18.Kc1-b1 Kc8-b8 19.b2-b3 Rh8-f8 20.Qe3-e5 Qf6xe5 21.d4xe5 Rf8-f4 22.Nf1-d2 a7-a6 23.Kb1-b2 Rd8-f8 24.Be2-d3 -0.06/15 ] 15.f3xg4² [Houdini annotates: 15.f3xg4 f7-f5 16.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 17.Rh1-f1 Qf6-e7 18.Rf1-f2 0-0-0 19.0-0-0 Rh8-f8 20.Rf2xf8 Rd8xf8 21.b2-b3 Ng7-e8 22.Kc1-b2 Ne8-d6 23.Ng3-h5 Kc8-b8 24.Rd1-f1 Rf8xf1 25.Be2xf1 a7-a6 26.Bf1-d3 Bd7-e8 0.34/16 ] 15...0-0-0 White has an active position [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0 9zppzplwq-sn-0 9 9-sn-+p+-+0 9+-+pzPpzpp0 9-+-zP-+P+0 9+-sN-wQPsN-0 9PzPP+L+-zP0 9tR-+-mK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 15...f7-f5 16.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 17.Rh1-f1 Qf6-h6 18.0-0-0 0-0-0 19.b2-b3 Kc8-b8 20.Kc1-b2 a7-a5 21.Rf1-f2 a5-a4 22.Rd1-f1 Qh6-h4 23.Rf2-f7 Ng7-e8 24.b3-b4 Qh4xh2 25.Qe3xg5 0.32/15 ] 16.0-0 White king safety dropped [Houdini annotates: 16.0-0-0 f7-f5 17.e5xf6 Qe7xf6 18.Rd1-f1 Qf6-e7 19.Kc1-b1 Rd8-f8 20.Rf1xf8+ Rh8xf8 21.Rh1-f1 Rf8xf1+ 22.Be2xf1 Ng7-e8 23.b2-b3 Ne8-d6 24.Ng3-f5 Nd6xf5 25.g4xf5 g5-g4 0.36/15 ] 16...Rh8-h4 Praise the rook! [ Houdini annotates: 16...Rh8-h7 17.a2-a4 a7-a5 18.Rf1-f2 Kc8-b8 19.Ra1-f1 Rd8-f8 20.b2-b3 Rh7-h8 21.Kg1-g2 Bd7-c6 22.Be2-b5 Bc6xb5 23.Nc3xb5 Rh8-h4 24.h2-h3 0.02/13 ] 17.b2-b3 Controls a4 [ 17.a2-a4 Rd8-h8 18.a4-a5 Nb6-a8+( 18...Rh4xh2?? capturing this pawn is a mistake 19.a5xb6 a7-a6 20.Be2xa6+- );Houdini annotates: 17.Rf1-f6 Ng7-e8 18.Rf6-f2 Rh4-h8 19.a2-a4 a7-a5 20.Ra1-f1 Rh8-f8 21.b2-b3 Kc8-b8 22.Be2-d3 Ne8-g7 23.Rf2-f6 Ng7-e8 24.Rf6-h6 f7-f6

19 0.36/14 ] 17...Rd8-h8 [Houdini annotates : 17...Kc8-b8 18.Qe3-f2 Qe7-b4 19.Qf2-e3 Rd8-f8 20.Rf1-f2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rh4-h7 21.Ra1-f1 Qb4-e7 22.a2a4 a7-a5 23.Nc3-b5 Bd7xb5 24.a4xb5 Rh4-h7 21.Ra1-f1 Qb4-e7 22.a2a4 a7-a5 23.Nc3-b5 Bd7xb5 24.a4xb5 Nb6-d7 25.Be2-d3 Rh7-h3 26.c2-c3 0.01/13 ] 18.Rf1-f2 [Houdini annotates: 18.a2-a4 Rh4xh2 19.a4-a5 Nb6-a8 20.a5-a6 b7-b5 21.Be2xb5 Rh2xc2 22.Bb5xd7+ Qe7xd7 23.Qe3-d3 Rc2-b2 24.Nc3-a4 Rb2-h2 25.Na4-c5 Qd7-e8 26.Rf1-f2 Rh2xf2 27.Kg1xf2 Rh8-h2+ 28.Kf2-f3 0.12/13 ] 18...Bd7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 18...a7-a6 19.Ra1-f1 Rh8-f8 20.a2-a4 Bd7-c6 21.Nc3-a2 Kc8-b8 22.Qe3-c3 Bc6-e8 23.Qc3-b4 Nb6-c8 24.Qb4xe7 Nc8xe7 25.Na2-b4 Rh4-h3 26.Nb4-d3 Rf8-h8 27.Nd3-c5 0.01/14 ] 19.a2-a4 [ Houdini annotates: 19.Ra1-f1 Kc8-b8 20.Nc3-b1 Qe7-d8 21.c2c4 d5xc4 22.b3xc4 Be8-c6 23.Nb1-c3 Ng7-e8 24.Ng3-e4 Rh4-h3 25.Rf2-f3 Rh3xh2 26.Rf3xf7 a7-a6 0.12/13 ] 19...Nb6-d7 [Houdini annotates: 19...Kc8-b8 20.a4-a5 Nb6-d7 21.a5-a6 b7-b6 22.Ra1-e1 Rh8-h7 23.Re1-f1 Nd7-f8 24.Qe3-f3 Rh4-h6 25.Nc3-b5 Nf8-g6 26.Qf3-f6 Rh6-h3 27.Qf6xe7 Ng6xe7 28.c2-c3 0.07/14 ] 20.Ra1-f1 [ 20.a4-a5!? a7-a6 21.Nc3-a4² ;Houdini annotates: 20.a4-a5 a7-a6 21.Nc3-a4 Kc8-b8 22.c2-c4 Nd7-f8 23.Qe3-f3 Nf8-g6 24.Qf3-f6 Be8xa4 25.Qf6xe7 Ng6xe7 26.Ra1xa4 Rh8-f8 27.Be2-f3 Ne7-g6 28.Ng3-e2 f7-f6 29.Bf3-g2 f6xe5 30.Rf2xf8+ Ng6xf8 31.d4xe5 Rh4xg4 32.c4xd5 Rg4xa4 33.b3xa4 0.00/14 ] 20...Nd7-f8= [Houdini annotates: 20...Kc8-b8 21.Nc3-d1 Rh4-h3

20 22.c2-c4 Nd7-f8 23.Nd1-b2 Nf8-g6 24.Nb2-d3 a7-a5 25.Be2-f3 Ng6-f4 26.Nd3xf4 g5xf4 27.Qe3xf4 d5xc4 28.b3xc4 Be8xa4 29.Qf4-e3 -0.02/13 ] 21.Be2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 21.Ng3-h5 Ng7xh5 22.g4xh5 Kc8-b8 23.h2-h3 c7-c5 24.Rf1-d1 Nf8-d7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25.d4xc5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-mk-+l+-tr0{ 9zpp+nwqp+-0 10 9-+-+p+-+0 9+-zPpzP-zpP0 9P+-+-+-tr0 9+PsN-wQ-+P0 9-+P+LtR-+0 9+-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Nd7xc5 26.Rd1-d4 Rh4xd4 27.Qe3xd4 Be8-c6 28.Rf2-f6 Nc5-d7 -0.23/12 ] 21...Nf8-g6 Black has a cramped position [Houdini annotates: 21...Kc8-b8 22.Nc3-e2 Nf8-g6 23.a4-a5 a7-a6 24.c2-c4 c7-c6 25.c4-c5 Rh4-h7 26.Qe3-d2 Rh7-h3 27.b3-b4 Rh3-h6 28.Bf3-h1 Rh6-h4 29.Bh1-f3 Rh4-h6 30.Bf3-h1 -0.05/15 ] 22.Nc3-e2 [Houdini annotates: 22.Nc3-e2 Kc8-b8 23.c2-c4 Qe7-d8 24.c4-c5 a7-a6 25.Qe3-d2 Rh4-h3 26.Ne2-c3 Qd8-e7 27.Qd2-e3 Ng6-f4 28.Nc3-e2 Rh3xg3+ 29.h2xg3 Nf4-h3+ 30.Kg1-g2 Nh3xf2 31.Rf1xf2 -0.13/15 ] 22...Rh8-h7 [ 22...Kc8-b8 23.c2-c4 Qe7-d8 24.b3-b4= ; Houdini annotates: 22...Kc8-b8 23.c2-c4 Qe7-d8 24.a4-a5 a7-a6 25.Qe3-d2 Rh4-h3 26.Qd2-e3 c7-c6 27.Bf3-h1 Rh8-h4 28.Qe3-f3 d5xc4 29.b3xc4 Qd8xa5 30.Qf3-f6 -0.08/13 ] 23.c2-c4= White threatens to win material: c4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 23.c2-c4 c7-c6 24.Qe3-d2 Kc8-c7

21 25.b3-b4 Kc7-b8 26.b4-b5 c6xb5 27.c4xb5 Be8-d7 28.Rf1-c1 Rh7-h8 29.Qd2-e3 Rh4-h3 30.Bf3-h1 Kb8-a8 31.Rc1-c7 0.41/14 ] 23...Qe7-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ 23...c7-c6 24.Rf1-c1= ;Houdini 2.0c [ 23...c7-c6 24.Rf1-c1= ;Houdini 2.0c : 23...c7-c6 24.Qe3-d2 Kc8-b8 25.b3-b4 Rh4-h3 26.b4-b5 c6xb5 27.c4xd5 e6xd5 28.Bf3xd5 Ng7-e6 29.a4xb5 Be8xb5 30.Ng3-f5 Qe7-d8 0.25/12 ] 24.Qe3-d2 [ 24.b3-b4 Rh7-h8² ;Houdini annotates: 24.b3-b4 Kc8-b8 25.b4-b5 Rh4-h6 26.c4xd5 e6xd5 27.Rf1-c1 c7-c6 28.b5xc6 Be8xc6 29.Qe3-b3 Ng6-f4 30.Ne2xf4 g5xf4 31.Ng3-e2 Qd8-g5 0.42/13 ] 24...Kc8-b8= [Houdini annotates : 24...Kc8-b8 25.Ng3-h5 Ng7xh5 26.g4xh5 Ng6-f4 27.Ne2xf4 g5xf4 28.Rf2-g2 Be8-d7 29.c4xd5 e6xd5 30.Qd2-c2 Rh7-h6 31.Rg2g7 Bd7-h3 32.Rf1-c1 c7-c6 33.b3-b4 Qd8-f8 0.02/13 ] 25.Rf1-c1 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 25.Ng3-h5 Ng7xh5 26.g4xh5 Ng6-f4 27.Ne2xf4 g5xf4 28.Rf2-g2 Be8-d7 29.c4xd5 e6xd5 30.Qd2-c2 Rh7-h6 31.Rg2g7 Bd7-h3 32.Rf1-c1 c7-c6 33.b3-b4 Qd8-f8 0.00/12 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-mk-wql+-+0{ 9zppzp-+psnr0 11 9-+-+p+n+0 9+-+pzP-zp-0 9P+PzP-+Ptr0 9+P+-+LsN-0 9-+-wQNtR-zP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 25...Be8-c6 [Houdini annotates:

22 25...Rh7-h8 26.Qd2-b4 Kb8-a8 27.a4-a5 a7-a6 28.Qb4-c5 Be8-c6 29.Bf3-g2 Qd8-d7 30.h2-h3 Ka8-b8 31.Rf2-f1 Rh4-h6 32.c4xd5 e6xd5 -0.06/12 ] 26.Ng3-f1 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 26.c4xd5 e6xd5 27.Ng3-h5 Ng7xh5 28.g4xh5 Ng6-f4 29.Ne2xf4 Rh4xf4 30.Bf3-e2 Rf4xf2 31.Kg1xf2 Bc6-d7 32.Kf2-g2 Bd7-f5 33.Rc1-f1 Bf5-e4+ 34.Be2-f3 Be4-f5 35.h2-h3 c7-c6 0.02/12 ] 26...Rh4-h3 [ 26...Rh7-h8 27.Nf1-g3³ ;Houdini 2.0c : 26...a7-a6 27.Nf1-g3 Kb8-a8 28.c4xd5 e6xd5 29.Qd2-d3 Ka8-b8 30.Ng3-h5 Ng7-e6 31.Rc1xc6 b7xc6 32.Qd3xa6 c6-c5 33.Nh5-f6 -0.13/12 ] 27.Nf1-g3 [Houdini annotates: 27.Bf3-g2 Rh3-h4 28.Rf2xf7 Bc6-e8 29.Rf7-f2 Rh4xg4 30.c4xd5 Rg4-h4 31.h2-h3 e6xd5 32.Nf1-e3 c7-c6 33.Ne3-g4 Ng7-e6 34.Ng4-f6 Rh7-f7 0.36/14 ] 27...Qd8-h8 [ 27...a7-a6 28.Bf3-h1³ ;Houdini annotates: 27...Rh7-h8 28.Bf3-h1 Ng7-e8 29.Rc1-f1 Rh8-h4 30.c4-c5 Bc6-d7 31.Rf2xf7 Rh3xh2 32.Bh1-g2 c7-c6 33.Ng3-h5 Ne8-c7 -0.04/12 ] 28.Ng3-f1 [Houdini annotates: 28.Qd2xg5 Rh3-h6 29.c4xd5 e6xd5 30.Ng3-h5 Ng7-e6 31.Qg5-d2 Ng6-h4 32.Bf3-h1 Rh6xh5 33.g4xh5 Rh7-g7+ 34.Ne2-g3 Qh8xh5 35.Qd2-b4 a7-a5 0.85/11 ] 28...Ng6-h4 [ ¹28...Qh8-d8= and Black has air to breath ;Houdini 2. 0c : 28...Qh8-d8 29.c4xd5 e6xd5 0.26/12 ] 29.Bf3-h1± [ Houdini annotates: 29.Bf3-h1 Qh8-d8 30.Rf2xf7 Bc6-e8 31.Rf7-f6 Be8-d7 32.Rc1-c3 Rh3xc3 33.Ne2xc3 Ng7-e8 34.Rf6-f2 Nh4-g6 35.Qd2-c2 Rh7-h6 36.Nc3-e2 c7-c6 37.Rf2-f7 Ne8-c7 38.Rf7-f6 Bd7-e8 39.c4xd5 c6xd5 40.Nf1-e3 0.65/14 ] 29...Rh3xb3? [ ¹29...Qh8-d8!? 30.Rf2xf7 a7-a6+- ( 30...Rh3xb3?? the pawn of course cannot be captured 31.c4xd5 e6xd5 32.Rc1xc6 b7xc6

23 33.Qd2-c2+- );Houdini annotates: 29...Qh8-d8 30.Rf2xf7 Bc6-e8 31.Rf7-f6 Be8-d7 32.Rc1-c3 Rh3xc3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.Ne2xc3 Ng7-e8 34.Rf6-f2 c7-c6 33.Ne2xc3 Ng7-e8 34.Rf6-f2 c7-c6 35.c4xd5 e6xd5 36.Qd2-d3 Rh7-e7 37.Nf1-e3 Qd8-b6 0.68/12 ] 30.c4xd5+- [Houdini annotates: 30.c4xd5 e6xd5 31.Qd2-c2 Rb3-b6 32.Rf2xf7 Qh8-e8 33.Bh1xd5 Rh7-h8 34.Rf7xg7 Bc6xd5 35.Qc2xc7+ Kb8-a8 36.Nf1-d2 Qe8-e6 37.h2-h3 Bd5-c6 38.Rg7-h7 Rh8-e8 39.Rc1xc6 Qe6xc6 40.Qc7xc6 b7xc6 41.Nd2-e4 Rb6-b1+ 42.Kg1-f2 Re8-f8+ 43.Ne4-f6 Rb1-b3 44.Rh7-c7 Ka8-b8 45.Rc7xc6 Rb3-f3+ 46.Kf2-g1 Rf3xh3 0.91/15 ] 30...e6xd5 [Houdini annotates: 30...e6xd5 31.Qd2-c2 Rb3-b6 32.Rf2xf7 Qh8-e8 33.Bh1xd5 Rh7-h8 34.Rf7xg7 Bc6xd5 35.Qc2xc7+ Kb8-a8 36.Nf1-d2 Qe8-e6 37.h2-h3 Bd5-c6 38.Rg7-h7 Rh8-e8 39.Rc1xc6 Qe6xc6 40.Qc7xc6 b7xc6 41.Nd2-e4 Rb6-b1+ 42.Kg1-f2 Re8-f8+ 43.Ne4-f6 Rb1-b3 44.Rh7-c7 Ka8-b8 45.Rc7xc6 Rb3-f3+ 46.Kf2-g1 Rf3xh3 1.21/15 ] 31.Qd2-c2 [Houdini annotates: 31.Qd2-c2 Rb3-b6 32.Rf2xf7 Qh8-e8 33.Bh1xd5 Rh7-h8 34.Rf7xg7 Bc6xd5 35.Qc2xc7+ Kb8-a8 36.Nf1-d2 Qe8-e6 37.h2-h3 Bd5-c6 38.Rg7-h7 Rh8-e8 39.Rc1xc6 Qe6xc6 40.Qc7xc6 b7xc6 41.Nd2-e4 Rb6-b1+ 42.Kg1-f2 Re8-f8+ 43.Ne4-f6 Rb1-b3 44.Rh7-c7 Ka8-b8 45.Rc7xc6 Rb3-f3+ 46.Kf2-g1 Rf3xh3 1.18/15 ] 31...Rb3-b6 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Rb3-b6 32.Rf2xf7 Qh8-e8 33.Bh1xd5 Rh7-h8 34.Rf7xg7 Bc6xd5 35.Qc2xc7+ Kb8-a8 36.Nf1-d2 Qe8-e6 37.h2-h3 Bd5-c6 38.Rg7-h7 Rh8-c8 39.Rh7-e7 Rb6-b2 40.Re7xe6 Rc8xc7 41.Re6-f6 Rc7-c8 42.Rc1-d1 Bc6xa4 1.08/13 ] 32.Bh1xd5! Deflection: c6 [Houdini 2. 0c : 32.Rf2xf7 Qh8-e8

24 33.Bh1xd5 Rh7-h8 34.Rf7xg7 Bc6xd5 35.Qc2xc7+ Kb8-a8 36.Nf1-d2 Qe8-e6 37.h2-h3 Bd5-c6 38.Rg7-h7

25

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rh8-c8 39.Rh7-e7 Rb6-b2 40.Re7xe6 Rc8xc7 41.Re6-f6 Rc7-c8 42.Rc1-d1 Bc6xa4 1.07/12 ] 32...Ng7-e6?? simply worsens the situation [ 32...Bc6xd5 33.Qc2xc7+ Mate attack Clearance Deflection Pinning ; Houdini annotates: 32...a7-a5 33.Nf1-e3 Ng7-e6 34.Rc1-f1 Ne6-d8 35.Bd5xc6 Rb6xc6 36.Qc2-d2 Nh4-g6 37.Ne3-d5 Rh7-h4 38.Rf2-g2 Rh4-h3 39.Qd2xa5 b7-b6 40.Qa5-d2 Qh8-h4 41.a4-a5 0.55/12 ] 33.Bd5xe6+[ Houdini annotates: 33.Bd5xe6 Rh7-g7 34.Be6-d5 Qh8-c8 35.Bd5xc6 Rb6xc6 36.Qc2-e4 Rc6xc1 37.Ne2xc1 c7-c6 38.Nf1-e3 Qc8-e6 39.Rf2-f6 3.84/10 ] 33...f7xe6 [ 33...a7-a5 there is nothing better in the position 34.Be6-f5 Nh4xf5 35.Qc2xf5 Bc6xa4+- ;Houdini annotates: 33...Rh7-h6 34.Be6-d5 f7-f6 35.a4-a5 Rb6-a6 36.Qc2-c5 Qh8-c8 37.Nf1-e3 Bc6xd5 38.Qc5xd5 Ra6-e6 39.Rc1-b1 Kb8-a8 40.Ne2-g3 c7-c6 41.Qd5-c5 f6xe5 42.d4xe5 Nh4-g6 4.09/11 ] 34.Qc2xh7!! Diagram [ 34.Qc2xh7 Qh8-d8 35.Qh7-f7+- ;Houdini annotates: 34.Qc2xh7 Qh8-d8 35.Qh7-f7 a7-a6 36.Qf7-f8 Qd8-c8 37.Qf8xc8+ Kb8xc8 38.Rf2-f8+ Kc8-d7 39.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-d8 40.Kg1-f2 Rb6-b2 41.Rf7-f8+ Kd8-d7 42.Nf1-e3 Kd7-e7 43.Rf8-h8 Ke7-d7 44.Rh8-h7+ Kd7-c8 5.81/12 ] (Diagram 12) Mate attack 1-0

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-mk-+-+-wq0{ 9zppzp-+-+Q0 12 9-trl+p+-+0 9+-+-zP-zp-0 9P+-zP-+Psn0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+NtR-zP0 9+-tR-+NmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 3 Constantin Ionescu Levon Aronian Ciocaltea mem (10)

A55

04.03.1999

A53: Old Indian 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 d7-d6 3.Nb1-c3 Nb8-d7 4.e2-e4 e7-e5 5.Ng1-f3 Bf8-e7 6.Bf1-e2 0-0 7.0-0 c7-c6 8.Rf1-e1 Qd8-c7 9.Ra1-b1 [ Houdini annotates: 9.h2-h3 h7-h6 10.Bc1-e3 b7-b6 11.Qd1-c2 Bc8-b7 12.b2-b4 Nf6-h5 13.b4-b5 Nh5-f4 14.Be3xf4 e5xf4 15.b5xc6 Bb7xc6 16.Nc3-d5 Bc6xd5 17.e4xd5 0.37/13 ] 9...Rf8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 9...b7-b6 10.Qd1-c2 a7-a5 11.h2-h3 Bc8-a6 12.Bc1-e3 h7-h6 13.Rb1-d1 Ra8-d8 14.Be2-d3 e5xd4 15.Nf3xd4 Nd7-e5 16.b2-b3 0.12/13 ] 10.b2-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 10.h2-h3 e5xd4 11.Qd1xd4 Qc7-b6 12.Bc1-f4 Nd7-e5 13.Re1-d1 Qb6xd4 14.Nf3xd4 Ne5-g6 15.Bf4-g3 Be7-f8 16.f2-f3 Ng6-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 17.b2-b3 Bc8-d7 0.35/13 ] 10...e5xd4 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 10...Nd7-f8 11.h2-h3 Bc8-d7 12.Bc1-e3 Nf8-g6 13.Qd1-d2 h7-h6 14.Rb1-d1 a7-a5 15.b4-b5 Ra8-d8

26

Levon Aronian's Best Games 16.d4xe5 d6xe5 0.10/12 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0 9zppwqnvlpzpp0 13 9-+pzp-sn-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zPPzpP+-+0 9+-sN-+N+-0 9P+-+LzPPzP0 9+RvLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 11.Nf3xd4 [Houdini annotates: 11.Nf3xd4 Nd7-e5 12.h2-h3 a7-a6 13.Nd4-f5 b7-b5 14.Qd1-d4 c6-c5 15.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 16.Qd4xd5 Bc8-e6 17.Nf5xe7+ Qc7xe7 0.38/12 ] 11...Be7-f8 12.Be2-f1 last book move a7-a5 [Houdini annotates: 12...Nd7-e5 13.h2-h3 a7-a6 14.Qd1-c2 h7-h6 15.Bc1-e3 Bc8-d7 16.f2-f4 Diagram (Diagram 14) Ne5-g6 17.Nd4-f3 a6-a5 18.b4-b5 0.09/12 ] 13.a2-a3 [Houdini annotates: 13.b4-b5 Nd7-c5 14.f2-f3 Nf6-d7 15.Bc1-e3 Nd7-e5 16.Qd1-d2 g7-g6 17.Re1-d1 Bc8-d7 18.b5xc6 b7xc6 19.Nd4-b3 Nc5-e6 0.32/13 ] 13...a5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 13...g7-g6 14.b4-b5 Bf8-g7 15.Bc1-g5 Nd7-c5 16.f2-f3 Nf6-d7 17.Bg5-e3 Bg7-e5 18.Qd1-d2 Nd7-f6 19.Be3-f4 Bc8-e6 20.b5xc6 b7xc6 21.Nd4xe6 Nc5xe6 0.05/13 ] 14.a3xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 14.a3xb4 h7-h6

27 15.f2-f3 Nd7-e5 16.Qd1-d2 Bf8-e7 17.f3-f4 Ne5-d7 18.h2-h3 Nf6-h5 19.Nd4-f5 Nd7-f6 20.Nf5xe7+ Qc7xe7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+rvlk+0{ 9+pwql+pzp-0 14 9p+pzp-sn-zp0 9+-+-sn-+-0 9-zPPsNPzP-+0 9+-sN-vL-+P0 9P+Q+-+P+0 9+R+-tRLmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 21.Qd2-e3 Bc8-e6 22.Bf1-e2 0.10/13 ] 14...Nd7-e5 [Houdini annotates: 14...b7-b6 15.b4-b5 c6-c5 16.Nd4c6 h7-h6 17.Qd1-c2 Nd7-e5 18.Nc3d5 Nf6xd5 19.c4xd5 Bf8-e7 20.Bc1-b2 Be7-f6 21.Rb1-a1 Bc8-b7 22.Bf1-e2 0.14/12 ] 15.f2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 15.h2-h3 Qc7-e7 16.Qd1-c2 Bc8-d7 17.Bc1-f4 h7-h6 18.Bf4-e3 Bd7-e6 19.b4-b5 c6-c5 20.Nd4xe6 Qe7xe6 21.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 22.e4xd5 0.24/13 ] 15...h7-h6 [Houdini annotates: 15...g7-g6 16.Bc1-e3 Qc7-e7 17.Qd1-c2 Bc8-d7 18.Rb1-a1 Bf8-g7 19.Qc2-d2 Re8-f8 20.Re1-d1 Rf8-d8 21.Nd4-c2 Bd7-e6 22.Ra1xa8 Rd8xa8 23.Qd2xd6 Qe7xd6 24.Rd1xd6 Ne5xc4 0.04/13 ] 16.Bc1-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 16.Qd1-d2 Bf8-e7 17.f3-f4 Ne5-d7 18.h2-h3 Nf6-h5 19.Nd4-f5 Nd7-f6 20.Nf5xe7+ Qc7xe7 21.Qd2-e3 Bc8e6 22.Bf1-e2 0.10/12 ] 16...Bc8-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 16...Qc7-d8

28 17.Qd1-b3 Qd8-e7 18.Rb1-a1 Bc8-e6 19.Ra1-b1 Be6-d7 20.Rb1-a1 g7-g6 21.Qb3-c2 Bf8-g7 22.Qc2-d2 h6-h5 0.07/12 ] 17.Qd1-c2 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 17.Qd1-d2 b7-b6 18.Rb1-a1 Qc7-b7 19.Ra1xa8

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8xa8 20.Nd4-f5 Bd7-e6 21.Re1-d1 Ra8-a3 22.Qd2-b2 Ra3-a8 23.Nf5xd6 Bf8xd6 24.Rd1xd6 Be6xc4 25.Be3-d4 0.15/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+rvlk+0{ 9+pwql+pzp-0 15 9-+pzp-sn-zp0 9+-+-sn-+-0 9-zPPsNP+-+0 9+-sN-vLP+-0 9-+Q+-+PzP0 9+R+-tRLmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 17...Ra8-a3 [Houdini annotates: 17...g7-g6 18.Qc2-d2 Bf8-g7 19.Rb1-a1 Kg8-h7 20.c4-c5 d6xc5 21.b4xc5 Bg7-f8 22.Nd4-c2 Bd7-e6 23.Re1-d1 Ra8xa1 24.Rd1xa1 0.14/12 ] 18.Qc2-b2 [Houdini annotates: 18.Qc2-d2 Bf8-e7 19.Qd2b2 Ra3-a8 20.Rb1-a1 Be7-f8 21.Qb2-d2 d6-d5 22.c4xd5 Bf8xb4 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nd4-f5 c6-c5 25.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h8 26.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 27.Re1-d1 0.24/14 ] 18...Ra3-a8 [ Houdini annotates: 18...Ra3-a6 19.Qb2-d2 Re8-a8 20.b4-b5 Ra6-a5 21.b5xc6 b7xc6 22.Nd4-f5 c6-c5 23.Be3-f2 Ra5-a3 24.Bf2-h4 Qc7-a5 25.Re1-e3 Nf6-h5 0.19/13 ] 19.Kg1-h1 [Houdini annotates: 19.Rb1-c1 b7-b6 20.Be3-f2 Qc7-b7 21.Rc1-a1 Bf8-e7 22.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 23.Qb2-d2 Qb7-c8 24.f3-f4 Ne5-g4 25.Nd4-f5 Bd7xf5 26.e4xf5 Ng4xf2 27.Re1xe7

29 0.29/12 ] 19...Ne5-g6 [Houdini annotates : 19...h6-h5 20.h2-h4 g7-g6 21.Rb1-a1 Bf8-g7 22.Qb2-f2 Re8-c8 23.c4-c5 Rc8-e8 24.Qf2-d2 d6-d5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 26.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 25.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 26.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 27.Nc3xd5 c6xd5 0.05/12 ] 20.Qb2-f2 [ Houdini annotates: 20.Qb2-d2 Ng6-e5 21.Rb1-a1 d6-d5 22.c4xd5 Bf8xb4 23.Qd2-b2 Bb4-d6 24.d5xc6 b7xc6 25.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 26.Nd4-f5 Ra8-b8 27.Qb2-d2 0.21/12 ] 20...Ra8-a3 [Houdini annotates: 20...Ng6-e5 21.Qf2-b2 0.11/13 ] 21.Rb1-c1 [Houdini annotates: 21.Qf2-d2 Ng6-e5 22.Kh1-g1 Bf8-e7 23.Rb1-a1 Re8-a8 24.Ra1xa3 Ra8xa3 25.Nd4-f5 Bd7-e6 26.c4-c5 d6-d5 27.Be3-f4 Be6xf5 28.e4xf5 0.21/13 ] 21...Qc7-b8 [Houdini annotates: 21...Ra3-a8 22.Qf2-b2 Ng6-e5 23.Rc1-b1 0.11/13 ] 22.Qf2-b2 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qf2-d2 Qb8-c7 23.Kh1-g1 Ng6-e5 24.Qd2-b2 Ra3-a8 25.Rc1-a1 b7-b6 26.Qb2-c2 Bf8-e7 27.b4-b5 Ra8xa1 28.Re1xa1 0.30/12 ] 22...Ra3-a8 [Houdini annotates : 22...Ra3-a7 23.Kh1-g1 Ra7-a8 24.Rc1-d1 d6-d5 25.c4xd5 Bf8-d6 26.g2-g3 c6xd5 27.e4xd5 Ng6-e5 28.Rd1-c1 Qb8-d8 29.Rc1-a1 0.32/13 ] 23.Qb2-b3 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Kh1-g1 Ng6-e5 24.Be3-f2 Qb8-c7 25.Rc1-a1 Bf8-e7 26.Qb2-b3 g7-g6 27.Qb3-c2 Be7-f8 28.Re1-d1 Bf8-g7 0.24/12 ] 23...Qb8-d8 [Houdini annotates: 23...Ng6-e5 24.Qb3-b2 g7-g6 25.Rc1-a1 Qb8-c7 26.Qb2-d2 h6-h5 27.Kh1-g1 Bf8-g7 28.c4-c5 b7-b6 29.Nd4-c2 b6xc5 30.b4xc5 0.10/13 ] 24.Qb3-c2 [Houdini annotates: 24.Rc1-a1 Ng6-e5 25.Ra1xa8 Qd8xa8 26.Qb3-b2 Qa8-c8 27.Re1-a1 Bf8-e7 28.Qb2-c2 Qc8-c7 29.Qc2-b3 b7-b6 30.b4-b5 c6-c5 0.33/13 ] 24...d6-d5

30 [ Houdini annotates: 24...Ng6-e5 25.Kh1-g1 d6-d5 26.e4xd5 c6xd5 27.c4-c5 Ne5-c6 28.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 29.Be3-d4 Qd8-c7 30.Rc1-a1 Qc7-f4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 0.05/11 ] 25.e4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 25.c4-c5 d5xe4 26.Nc3xe4 Nf6xe4 27.f3xe4 Ng6-e5 28.Rc1-d1 Qd8-h4 29.Be3-f2 Qh4-g5 30.Nd4-f5 Bd7-e6 31.Nf5-d6 Ra8-a2 32.Qc2xa2 Be6xa2 33.Nd6xe8 -0.06/13 ] 25...Bf8xb4 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 25...Bf8xb4 26.d5xc6 b7xc6 27.Rc1-b1 Qd8-a5 28.Be3-d2 Ra8-d8 29.Bf1-d3 Ng6-e5 30.Nd4-b3 Qa5-c7 31.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 32.Bd3xe4 c6-c5 33.Be4-d5 Bd7-e6 -0.17/12 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqr+k+0 9+p+l+pzp-0 16 9-+p+-snnzp0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-vlPsN-+-+0 9+-sN-vLP+-0 9-+Q+-+PzP0 9+-tR-tRL+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26.d5xc6 [Houdini annotates: 26.Qc2-b3 Bb4xc3 27.Rc1xc3 c6xd5 28.Qb3xb7 Qd8-a5 29.Qb7-b2 d5xc4 30.Bf1xc4 Nf6-d5 31.Bc4xd5 Qa5xd5 32.Rc3-c7 Ng6-f4 33.Qb2-b3 Qd5-g5 34.g2-g3 -0.04/12 ] 26...b7xc6 [ Houdini annotates: 26...b7xc6 27.Rc1-b1 Qd8-a5 28.Be3-d2 Ra8-d8 29.Bf1-d3 Ng6-e5 30.Nd4-b3 Qa5-c7 31.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 32.Bd3xe4 c6-c5 33.Be4-d5 Bd7-e6 -0.17/13 ] 27.Nd4-b3 [Houdini annotates: 27.Rc1-b1 Qd8-a5 28.Be3-d2 Re8xe1

31 29.Rb1xe1 Qa5-c5 30.Nd4-b3 Qc5-d6 31.g2-g3 Ng6-e5 32.Bd2-f4 Ra8-e8 33.Re1-d1 Qd6-c7 34.Nb3-d4 Bb4-c5 -0.16/13 ] 27...Bb4-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 27...Re8-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 28.Rc1-d1 Qd8-e7 29.Be3-f2 Ng6-f4 28.Rc1-d1 Qd8-e7 29.Be3-f2 Ng6-f4 30.Qc2-d2 Re5xe1 31.Rd1xe1 Qe7-d6 32.Qd2xd6 Bb4xd6 33.Bf2-c5 Ra8-e8 34.Re1xe8+ Nf6xe8 35.Kh1-g1 -0.16/12 ] 28.Be3-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Be3-g1 Re8xe1 29.Rc1xe1 Qd8-c7 30.Nb3-c5 Bd7-c8 31.Re1-d1 Bd6-e5 32.Qc2-d2 Ra8-a3 33.Nc3-e2 Bc8-f5 34.Ne2-d4 Ng6-h4 35.Nd4xf5 Nh4xf5 0.04/13 ] 28...Bd6xc5 [Houdini annotates: 28...Qd8-c7 29.Re1xe8+ Ra8xe8 30.Bc5-g1 Ng6-f4 31.Rc1-a1 Bd6-e5 32.g2-g3 Nf4-e6 33.Ra1-a7 Qc7-d6 34.Qc2-d1 Qd6-e7 35.Qd1-d2 -0.14/13 ] 29.Nb3xc5 [Houdini annotates : 29.Nb3xc5 Qd8-a5 30.Re1xe8+ Ra8xe8 31.Nc3-a4 Ng6-f4 32.g2-g3 Nf4-e6 33.Qc2-f2 Bd7-c8 34.Rc1-d1 Nf6-d7 35.Nc5xd7 Qa5xa4 36.Rd1-d6 Qa4-a3 37.Rd6-d3 Qa3-a1 38.Kh1-g2 -0.11/15 ] 29...Qd8-a5 [Houdini annotates: 29...Ng6-f8 30.Bf1-d3 Nf8-e6 31.Nc5xe6 Bd7xe6 32.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 33.Bd3xe4 Qd8-d6 34.c4-c5 Qd6-c7 35.Rc1-a1 Re8-d8 36.Ra1xa8 Rd8xa8 37.Be4-f5 Be6xf5 38.Qc2xf5 -0.06/13 ] 30.Nc5xd7 [ Houdini annotates: 30.Nc5-e4

32

33

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nf6xe4 31.Nc3xe4 Bd7-f5 32.c4-c5 Bf5xe4 33.Re1xe4 Qa5-a3 34.Re4xe8+ Ra8xe8 35.Rc1-b1 Qa3-e3 36.Rb1-d1 Ng6-f4 37.Rd1-d6 Qe3-e1 38.Qc2-c4 Re8-e2 -0.15/14 ] 30...Nf6xd7 [Houdini annotates: 30...Nf6xd7 31.Re1xe8+ Ra8xe8 32.Rc1-d1 Nd7-c5 33.Nc3-e2 Nc5-e6 34.Ne2-g3 Ng6-e5 35.Rd1-b1 Ne6-d4 36.Qc2-e4 Re8-d8 37.Rb1-b7 g7-g6 38.Ng3-e2 -0.02/12 ] 31.Re1xe8+ [ Houdini annotates: 31.Re1xe8+ Ra8xe8 32.Rc1-d1 Nd7-c5 33.Nc3-e2 Nc5-e6 34.Ne2-g3 Ng6-e5 35.Rd1-b1 Ne6-d4 36.Qc2-e4 Re8-d8 37.Rb1-b7 g7-g6 38.Ng3-e2 -0.20/14 ] 31...Ra8xe8 [Houdini annotates: 31...Ra8xe8 32.Nc3-e4 Re8-b8 33.Rc1-d1 Nd7-e5 34.Ne4-d6 Qa5-c5 35.Qc2-d2 Rb8-a8 36.Nd6-e4 Qc5-a3 37.Rd1-b1 Qa3-e7 38.Ne4-d6 Ng6-f4 39.Rb1-b7 -0.04/12 ] 32.Nc3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Bf1-d3 Nd7-e5 33.Bd3-e4 Re8-d8 34.Be4xg6 Ne5xg6 35.Nc3-e4 Ng6-f4 36.c4-c5 Nf4-d3 37.Rc1-d1 Nd3-b4 38.Qc2-b3 Rd8xd1+ 39.Qb3xd1 Nb4-d5 40.Kh1-g1 -0.19/13 ] 32...Nd7-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 32...Re8-b8 33.Rc1-d1 Nd7-e5 34.Ne4-d6 Qa5-c5 35.Qc2-d2 Rb8-a8 36.Nd6-e4 Qc5-a3 37.Rd1-b1 Qa3-e7 38.Ne4-d6 Ng6-f4 39.Rb1-b7 -0.04/14 ] 33.Qc2-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 33.Ne4-d6 Re8-e1 34.Qc2-b1 Re1xc1 35.Qb1xc1 Nc5-e6 36.Qc1-b1 Qa5-e5 37.Nd6-f5 Qe5-c5 38.g2-g3 Ng6-e5 39.Qb1-b8+ Kg8-h7 40.Nf5-e7 Qc5xe7 41.Qb8xe5 -0.12/13 ] 33...Qa5xc3 [ Houdini annotates: 33...Qa5xc3 34.Ne4xc3 f7-f5 35.Rc1-a1 Kg8-f7 36.Ra1-a5 Re8-e1 37.Kh1-g1 Nc5-b3 38.Ra5-a2 Re1-e7 39.Ra2-a6 Nb3-d4

40.c4-c5 Ng6-f4 41.Bf1-c4+ Kf7-g6 42.Kg1-f2 Kg6-g5 -0.19/15 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Ne4xc3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Ne4xc3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Ne4xc3 Ng6-e5 35.Kh1-g1 g7-g5 36.Rc1-d1 f7-f6 37.Nc3-e2 Kg8-f7 38.f3-f4 Ne5-d3 39.f4xg5 h6xg5 40.Ne2-d4 Nd3-e5 41.Bf1-e2 Kf7-g6 42.Kg1-f2 Nc5-e4+ 43.Kf2-e3 -0.18/15 ] 34...Ng6-f4 [Houdini annotates: 34...Ng6-e5 35.Rc1-e1 Kg8-f8 36.f3-f4 Nc5-d3 37.Bf1xd3 Ne5xd3 38.Re1xe8+ Kf8xe8 39.g2-g3 Ke8-e7 40.Kh1-g2 Ke7-e6 41.Kg2-f3 Nd3-b2 42.c4-c5 Nb2-d3 43.Nc3-e4 -0.19/14 ] 35.Kh1-g1 [Houdini annotates: 35.Rc1-c2 g7-g6 36.Kh1-g1 Kg8-g7 37.Rc2-d2 Re8-a8 38.Rd2-d6 Ra8-a6 39.g2-g3 Nf4-e6 40.f3-f4 h6-h5 41.Rd6-d2 Ra6-a3 -0.16/14 ] 35...g7-g6 [Houdini annotates: 35...Kg8-h7 36.g2-g3 Nf4-e6 37.Rc1-d1 Re8-a8 38.Rd1-d6 Ra8-a3 39.Nc3-d1 Ra3xf3 40.Bf1-g2 Rf3-a3 41.Bg2xc6 Kh7-g6 42.Kg1-g2 Ra3-a2+ 43.Nd1-f2 -0.13/14 ] 36.Rc1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 36.g2-g3 Nf4-d3 37.Rc1-d1 Nd3-b4 38.Nc3-e2 Kg8-g7 39.Rd1-d6 Re8-a8 40.Ne2-d4 Ra8-a6 41.h2-h4 h6-h5 42.Kg1-f2 Ra6-a2+ 43.Kf2-e3 Ra2-a3+ 44.Ke3-f2 -0.10/15 ] 36...Re8-e3 [Houdini annotates: 36...Kg8-f8 37.Rd1-d6 Re8-c8 38.g2-g3 Kf8-e7 39.Rd6-d1 Nf4-e6 40.f3-f4 Rc8-a8 41.Bf1-g2 Ra8-a6 42.Nc3-e2 Ra6-a2 43.Ne2-c1 Ra2-c2 44.Bg2xc6 Rc2xc4 45.Nc1-e2 Rc4-c2 46.Kg1-f2 -0.11/16 ] 37.Rd1-d8+ [ Houdini annotates: 37.Nc3-e2 Nf4xe2+ 38.Kg1-f2 Re3-c3 39.Bf1xe2 Nc5-e6 40.Rd1-d7 Kg8-g7 41.h2h4 c6-c5 42.Be2-d3 Ne6-d4 43.Bd3-e4 Rc3xc4 44.Rd7xf7+ Kg7xf7 45.Be4-d5+ Kf7-f6 46.Bd5xc4 Kf6-e5

34 -0.09/15 ] 37...Kg8-g7 [Houdini annotates : 37...Kg8-g7 38.Nc3-d1 Re3-e1 39.Rd8-d2 Nf4-d3 40.Nd1-c3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nd3-e5 41.Rd2-e2 Re1xe2 42.Bf1xe2 f7-f5 43.Kg1-f2 f5-f4 44.g2-g3 g6-g5 45.g3xf4 g5xf4 46.Nc3-a2 Kg7-f6 47.Na2-b4 Nc5-e6 48.Nb4-c2 c6-c5 49.Be2-f1 Ne6-d4 50.Nc2xd4 c5xd4 -0.16/19 ] 38.Nc3-d1 [Houdini annotates : 38.Nc3-d1 Re3-e1 39.Rd8-d2 Nf4-d3 40.Nd1-c3 Nd3-e5 41.Rd2-e2 Re1xe2 42.Bf1xe2 Nc5-d3 43.Be2xd3 Ne5xd3 44.Kg1-f1 Nd3-b2 45.c4-c5 Kg7-f6 46.Kf1-e2 Kf6-e5 47.Nc3-e4 f7-f5 48.Ne4-d6 Ke5-d4 49.Nd6-f7 -0.12/17 ] 38...Re3-e1 [ Houdini annotates: 38...Re3-a3 39.Rd8-d6 Ra3-a6 40.g2-g3 Nf4-e6 41.Nd1-f2 h6-h5 42.Kg1-g2 Kg7-f6 43.Rd6-d2 Nc5-b3 44.Nf2-e4+ Kf6-g7 45.Rd2-b2 Ne6-d4 46.f3-f4 c6-c5 -0.14/16 ] 39.Nd1-b2 [Houdini annotates : 39.Rd8-d2 Nf4-d3 40.Nd1-c3 Nd3-e5 41.Rd2-e2 Re1xe2 42.Bf1xe2 Nc5-d3 43.Be2xd3 Ne5xd3 44.Kg1-f1 f7-f5 45.Kf1-e2 Nd3-f4+ 46.Ke2-f2 Kg7-f6 47.g2-g3 Nf4-d3+ 48.Kf2-e3 Nd3-e5 49.c4-c5 Ne5-d7 -0.13/15 ] 39...Re1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 39...Re1-c1 40.Nb2-d1 Nf4-d3 41.Nd1-e3 f7-f5 42.Rd8-d6 Nd3-b4 43.Ne3-d1 Rc1-a1 44.Nd1-c3 Kg7-f7 45.Kg1-f2 Ra1-a3 46.Nc3-e2 Nb4-d3+ 47.Kf2-g3 -0.32/14 ] 40.Rd8-d2 [ Houdini annotates: 40.Nb2-d1 Nc5-d3 41.g2-g3 Rb1xd1 42.g3xf4 Nd3-b2 43.Rd8xd1 Nb2xd1 44.Bf1-e2 Nd1-c3 45.Be2-f1 Nc3-a2 46.Kg1-f2 c6-c5 47.Kf2-e3 f7-f5 48.Bf1-d3 Na2-b4 49.Bd3-b1 Kg7-f6 50.h2-h4 Kf6-e6 -0.30/17 ] 40...Nc5-b3 [ Houdini annotates: 40...Nc5-b3 41.Rd2-f2 Nb3-d4 42.Nb2-a4 Nd4-e2+

35 43.Rf2xe2 Nf4xe2+ 44.Kg1-f2 Ne2-f4 45.h2-h4 Rb1-c1 46.g2-g3 Nf4-h5 47.g3-g4 Nh5-f4 48.Na4-c5 g6-g5 49.h4xg5 h6xg5 50.Nc5-e4 f7-f6 -2.51/16 ] 41.Rd2-c2 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games : 41.Rd2-f2 Nb3-d4 42.Nb2-a4 : 41.Rd2-f2 Nb3-d4 42.Nb2-a4 Nd4-e2+ 43.Rf2xe2 Nf4xe2+ 44.Kg1-f2 Ne2-f4 45.h2-h4 Nf4-e6 46.Na4-c3 Rb1-b2+ 47.Kf2-e3 f7-f5 48.g2-g3 Rb2-b3 49.Ke3-d3 f5-f4 50.g3xf4 Rb3-a3 51.f4-f5 g6xf5 52.h4-h5 Ne6-f4+ 53.Kd3-d4 Nf4xh5 -2.64/17 ] 41...Nb3-d4 [Houdini annotates : 41...Nb3-d4 42.Rc2-f2 Nf4-e2+ 43.Rf2xe2 Nd4xe2+ 44.Kg1-f2 Ne2-f4 45.Nb2-a4 Rb1-c1 46.Na4-c5 Rc1-c2+ 47.Kf2-g1 Kg7-f6 48.h2-h4 Nf4-e2+ 49.Kg1-f2 Ne2-d4+ 50.Kf2-e3 Nd4-f5+ 51.Ke3-d3 Rc2-a2 52.Nc5-e4+ Kf6-e5 -2.64/14 ] 42.Rc2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 42.Rc2-f2 Nf4-e2+ 43.Rf2xe2 Nd4xe2+ 44.Kg1-f2 Ne2-f4 45.Nb2-a4 Rb1-b4 46.Na4-c3 Rb4-b2+ 47.Nc3-e2 f7-f5 48.Kf2-e3 Nf4xe2 49.Bf1xe2 f5-f4+ 50.Ke3-d3 Kg7-f6 51.g2-g4 Kf6-e5 52.h2-h4 Rb2-b3+ 53.Kd3-d2 -2.75/15 ] 42...Nf4-h3+ Diagram [Houdini annotates: 42...Nf4-h3+ 43.g2xh3 Nd4xf3+ 44.Kg1-f2 Nf3xd2 45.Nb2-d3 Nd2xf1 46.Nd3-e5 c6-c5 47.Kf2-g2 Nf1-d2 48.Ne5-d3 Nd2xc4 49.Nd3xc5 Rb1-b2+ 50.Kg2-g3 Nc4-d6 51.h3-h4 Nd6-f5+ 52.Kg3-h3 Kg7-f6 -7.76/12 ] (Diagram 18) 0-1

36

37

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+pmk-0 18 9-+p+-+pzp0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+Psn-+-+0 9+-+-+P+n0 9-sN-tR-+PzP0 9+r+-+LmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 4 Levon Aronian Sergei Beshukov Hastings 0001 76th (2)

B30

29.12.2000

B30: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5, lines without ...g6 1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 4.Bf1-b5 Nc6-d4 5.0-0 Ng8-e7 6.Nf3xd4 c5xd4 7.Nc3-e2 a7-a6 8.Bb5-a4 Ne7-c6 9.d2-d3 Standard Book moves end here g7-g6 [ 9...b7-b5 10.Ba4-b3= ; Houdini annotates: 9...b7-b5 10.Ba4-b3 Bf8-d6 11.a2-a4 Bc8-b7 12.c2-c3 d4xc3 13.b2xc3 Qd8-c7 14.a4xb5 a6xb5 15.Ra1xa8+ Bb7xa8 16.h2-h3 0-0 17.Bc1-e3 b5-b4 18.Qd1-c2 b4xc3 19.Qc2xc3 Bd6-e5 20.Qc3-c2 Rf8-b8 21.Rf1-b1 -0.12/14 ] 10.Ba4xc6 [Houdini annotates: 10.c2-c3 b7-b5 11.Ba4-c2 Bf8-g7 12.Bc1-f4 d7-d6 13.a2-a4 b5-b4 14.c3xb4 Ra8-b8 15.b4-b5 a6xb5 16.a4xb5 Rb8xb5 17.Bc2-a4 Rb5-c5

0.34/14 ] 10...d7xc6 Black has the pair of bishops [Houdini annotates: 10...b7xc6 Diagram

38

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9+-+p+p+p0 19 9p+p+p+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-zpP+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9PzPP+NzPPzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 11.Ne2xd4 Bf8-g7 12.Bc1-e3 0-0 13.Qd1-d2 Qd8-c7 14.Ra1-b1 Ra8-b8 15.b2-b4 d7-d5 16.Nd4-f3 d5xe4 17.d3xe4 Rf8-d8 18.Be3-d4 Rb8-b5 19.c2-c3 0.44/15 ] 11.Bc1-d2 [ Houdini annotates: 11.c2-c3 e6-e5 12.c3xd4 e5xd4 13.Qd1-c2 Bf8-g7 14.b2-b3 Qd8-c7 15.Bc1-a3 b7-b6 16.f2-f4 c6-c5 17.b3-b4 Bc8-g4 18.Ra1-c1 Bg4xe2 19.Qc2xe2 0.28/14 ] 11...Bf8-g7 Black is behind in development. [Houdini annotates: 11...e6-e5 Diagram (Diagram 20) 12.f2-f4 Bf8-g7 13.f4xe5 Qd8-b6 14.Bd2-f4 0-0 15.Ra1-b1 Bc8-e6 16.b2-b3 Ra8-e8 17.Qd1-d2 Be6-g4 18.b3-b4 Bg4xe2 19.Qd2xe2 Bg7xe5 20.Bf4xe5 Re8xe5 21.Qe2-f2 0.08/14 ] 12.c2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 12.Qd1-c1 c6-c5 13.Bd2-h6 Bg7-f6 14.f2-f4 Bc8-d7 15.a2-a4 Qd8-a5 16.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 17.Bh6-g5 Bd7xa4 18.Bg5xe7 Ke8xe7 0.20/13 ] 12...d4xc3 [Houdini annotates: 12...e6-e5 13.c3xd4 e5xd4 14.Qd1-

a4 a6-a5 15.Ra1-c1 0-0 16.Bd2-b4 Rf8-e8 17.Bb4-c5 b7-b5 18.Qa4-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9+p+-+p+p0 20 9p+p+-+p+0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-+-zpP+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9PzPPvLNzPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Bc8-e6 19.b2-b3 Qd8-d7 20.h2-h3 Bg7-e5 0.07/14 ] 13.Bd2xc3 [ Houdini annotates: 13.Bd2xc3 e6-e5 14.f2-f4 0-0 15.f4xe5 Qd8-b6+ 16.Kg1-h1 Rf8-e8 17.Qd1-d2 Bc8-g4 18.d3-d4 Qb6-b5 19.Ne2-g3 Ra8-d8 20.a2-a4 Qb5-b6 21.Qd2-f4 Bg4-e6 22.Ng3-e2 Kg8-h8 0.19/15 ] 13...e6-e5 [Houdini annotates: 13...Bg7xc3 14.b2xc3 0-0 15.Qd1-d2 c6-c5 16.h2-h3 Bc8-d7 17.Qd2-e3 Qd8-e7 18.Rf1-b1 Bd7-c6 19.Rb1-b6 Ra8-d8 20.Ra1-b1 e6-e5 0.10/13 ] 14.f2-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 14.d3-d4 e5xd4 15.Bc3xd4 Bg7xd4 16.Qd1xd4 Qd8xd4 17.Ne2xd4 0-0 18.Rf1-d1 Kg8-g7 19.Nd4-b3 f7-f5 20.Nb3-c5 f5xe4 21.Nc5xe4 Bc8-f5 22.Ne4-d6 b7-b6 23.Ra1-c1 0.16/14 ] 14...Qd8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 14...0-0 15.f4xe5 Qd8-b6+ 16.Kg1-h1 Rf8-d8 17.Qd1-c2 Qb6-c7 18.d3-d4 a6-a5 19.Ne2-f4 b7-b6 20.Ra1-c1 Bc8-a6 21.Nf4-d3 c6-c5 0.31/13 ] 15.f4xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 15.Qd1-b3 0-0 16.Bc3xe5 Bg7xe5 17.f4xe5 Qe7xe5 18.Ra1-c1 Bc8-g4 19.Ne2-f4 Ra8-b8

39 20.h2-h3 Bg4-e6 21.Nf4xe6 Qe5xe6 22.Rc1-c3 Qe6xb3 23.Rc3xb3 Rf8-d8 24.Kg1-h2 0.19/13 ] 15...Bg7xe5

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 15...Bg7xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 15...Bg7xe5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0 9+p+-wqp+p0 21 9p+p+-+p+0 9+-+-vl-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-vLP+-+-0 9PzP-+N+PzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 16.Bc3xe5 Qe7xe5 17.Qd1-b3 0-0 18.Ra1-c1 Bc8-g4 19.Ne2-f4 Qe5-e7 20.h2-h3 Bg4-c8 21.Rf1-f2 Rf8-d8 22.Qb3-c3 Ra8-b8 0.27/12 ] 16.d3-d4 White threatens to win material: d4xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 16.Bc3xe5 Qe7xe5 17.Qd1-b3 0-0 18.Ra1-c1 Bc8-g4 19.Ne2-f4 Ra8-b8 20.Qb3b4 a6-a5 21.Qb4-c3 Qe5xc3 22.Rc1xc3 Kg8-g7 23.Rc3-c5 Rb8-a8 24.Rc5-g5 0.19/13 ] 16...Be5-g7 [ 16...Be5-b8 17.Qd1-b3 a6-a5 18.Ra1-e1² ;Houdini annotates: 16...Be5-b8 17.Qd1-d3 0-0 18.Ne2-f4 Bb8-a7 19.Ra1-e1 Rf8-e8 20.h2-h3 Qe7-d6 21.Qd3-c4 b7-b5 22.Qc4-d3 b5-b4 -0.03/12 ] 17.Qd1-d2 [ 17.d4d5 Bg7xc3 18.Ne2xc3 Qe7-c5+ 19.Rf1-f2 0-0± ;Houdini annotates: 17.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 18.Ne2xc3 Qe7-e5 19.Qd1-b3 0-0 20.Ra1-d1 Ra8-b8 21.Qb3-b6 Bc8-d7 22.Rd1-e1 Rf8-e8 23.Qb6f2 f7-f5 24.e4xf5 Qe5xf5 25.Qf2-d4

40 Re8xe1 26.Rf1xe1 c6xd5 27.Nc3xd5 0.51/13 ] 17...Qe7xe4 [Houdini annotates : 17...0-0 18.Bc3-b4 Qe7xe4 19.Bb4xf8 Bg7xf8 20.Ra1-e1 Qe4-h4 21.Qd2-a5 Bc8-e6 22.Qa5-c7 Qh4-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 23.Qc7xe7 Bf8xe7 24.Ne2-f4 Be7-b4 25.Re1xe6 f7xe6 26.Nf4xe6 Ra8-e8 0.18/14 ] 18.Ra1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 18.Ra1-e1 0-0 19.Ne2-f4 Qe4-f5 20.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.d5-d6 Bc8-d7 23.Re1-e5 Qg5-d8 24.Qc3-d4 Rf8-e8 25.Re5xe8+ Qd8xe8 26.Nf4-d3 Ra8-b8 27.Nd3-c5 f7-f5 28.Qd4-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.Qc4-c3+ Kg7-g8 30.Rf1-e1 Qe8-f7 0.17/15 ] 18...0-0 [Houdini annotates: 18...0-0 19.Ne2-f4 Qe4-f5 20.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 Rd5-d7 0.32/17 ] 19.Ne2-f4 [Houdini annotates: 19.Ne2-f4 Qe4-f5 20.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 c6-c5 34.Kg3-f3 Kg7-f6 35.g2-g3 Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-f4 Rd3-d4+ 37.Kf4-f3 Rd4-d3+ 38.Kf3-f4 0.15/16 ] 19...Qe4-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 19...Qe4-f5 20.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 c6-c5 34.Kg3-f3 Kg7-f6 35.g2-g3 Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-f4 Rd3-d4+

41 37.Kf4-f3 Rd4-d3+ 38.Kf3-f4 0.34/15 ] 20.d4-d5 [Houdini annotates: 20.d4-d5 Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 c6-c5 34.Kg3-f3 Kg7-f6 35.g2-g3 Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-f4 Rd3-d4+ 37.Kf4-f3 Rd4-d3+ 38.Kf3-f4 0.15/16 ] 20...Bg7xc3 [Houdini annotates: 20...Bg7xc3 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 c6-c5 34.Kg3-f3 Kg7-f6 35.g2-g3 Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-f4 Rd3-d4+ 37.Kf4-f3 Rd4-d3+ 38.Kf3-f4 0.34/16 ] 21.Qd2xc3 [Houdini annotates: 21.Qd2xc3 Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9+-+-+p+p0 22 9p+p+-+p+0 9+-+-tRlwq-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-wQ-+-sN-0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5f2

42 Rd1-d5 33.Rf2-e2 c6-c5 34.Kg3-f3 Kg7-f6 35.g2-g3 Rd5-d3+ 36.Kf3-f4 Rd3-d4+ 37.Kf4-f3 Rd4-d3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Kf3-f4 0.16/16 ] 21...Qf5-g5 [ 21...c6xd5 22.Re1-e5 Qf5-d7 23.Nf4xd5+- ;Houdini annotates: 21...Qf5-g5 22.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 23.d5xc6 b7xc6 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d3+ 33.Kg3-f4 Kg7-g6 34.Rf2-e2 0.27/15 ] 22.d5xc6 [ 22.d5-d6 Bc8-e6± ;Houdini annotates: 22.d5-d6 Bc8-d7 23.Re1-e5 Qg5-d8 24.Qc3-d4 Rf8-e8 25.Re5xe8+ Qd8xe8 26.Nf4-d3 Bd7-f5 27.Rf1-e1 Qe8-d8 28.Nd3-c5 b7-b6 29.d6-d7 b6xc5 30.Re1-e8+ Qd8xe8 31.d7xe8Q+ Ra8xe8 32.Qd4xc5 Re8-e2 0.28/12 ] 22...b7xc6² [Houdini annotates: 22...b7xc6 23.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d3+ 33.Kg3-f4 Rd3-d1 34.Kf4-f5 Rd1-d5+ 35.Kf5-e4 f7-f6 36.g2-g4 Rd5-e5+ 37.Ke4-d4 Re5-d5+ 38.Kd4-c3 0.10/15 ] 23.Qc3xc6 [Houdini annotates : 23.Re1-e5 Bc8-f5 24.Nf4-e2 Rf8-e8 25.Ne2-g3 Re8xe5 26.Qc3xe5 Ra8-d8 27.Ng3xf5 g6xf5 28.Rf1xf5 Rd8-d1+ 29.Kg1-f2 Qg5-h4+ 30.Qe5-g3+ Qh4xg3+ 31.Kf2xg3 Kg8-g7 32.Rf5-f2 Rd1-d3+ 33.Kg3-g4 c6-c5 34.Kg4-f4 c5-c4 35.Kf4-e5 0.19/13 ] 23...Bc8-f5 [ 23...Ra8-b8 24.Re1-e8 Bc8-g4 25.Re8xf8+ Rb8xf8 26.Nf4-d5= ;Houdini annotates: 23...Ra8-b8 24.Re1-e8 Bc8-e6

43 25.Re8xf8+ Rb8xf8 26.Nf4xe6 Qg5-e3+ 27.Kg1-h1 Qe3-e2 28.Kh1-g1 f7xe6 29.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 30.Qc6-d6+ Kf8-f7 31.Qd6-c7+ Kf7-f6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Qc7-d8+ Kf6-f5 33.Qd8-f8+ Kf5-e4 32.Qc7-d8+ Kf6-f5 33.Qd8-f8+ Kf5-e4 34.Qf8-b4+ Ke4-e5 35.Qb4c5+ Ke5-f6 36.Qc5-d4+ Kf6-e7 37.Qd4-c3 0.17/15 ] 24.Nf4-d5 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 24.Nf4-d5 Ra8-c8 25.Qc6-d6 Kg8-g7 26.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-h6 27.Nd5-e7 Bf5-d3 28.Qe5xg5+ Kh6xg5 29.Ne7xc8 Bd3xf1 30.Nc8-d6 Bf1-d3 31.Re1-d1 Bd3-e2 32.Rd1-d2 Be2-g4 33.Kg1-f2 Bg4-e6 34.b2-b3 Kg5-f4 35.Rd2d4+ Kf4-e5 0.17/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9+-+-+p+p0 23 9p+Q+-+p+0 9+-+N+lwq-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 24...Ra8-c8 Black threatens to win material: Rc8xc6 [Houdini annotates: 24...Ra8-c8 25.Qc6-d6 Kg8-g7 26.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-h6 27.Nd5-e7 Bf5-d3 28.Qe5xg5+ Kh6xg5 29.Ne7xc8 Bd3xf1 30.Nc8-d6 Bf1-d3 31.Re1-d1 Bd3-e2 32.Rd1-d2 Be2-g4 33.Kg1-f2 Bg4-e6 34.b2-b3 Be6-f5 0.32/15 ] 25.Qc6-d6 [Houdini annotates: 25.Qc6-b6 Bf5-e6 26.Nd5-f6+ Kg8-h8 27.b2-b3 Rf8-d8 28.Nf6-e4 Qg5-d5 29.Qb6-f2 h7-h6 30.Qf2-h4 Qd5-d4+ 31.Rf1-f2 Qd4-g7 32.Ne4-f6 0.10/12 ] 25...Rc8-c2?? further deteriorates the position [ ¹25...Kg8-g7 26.Nd5-e7

44 Rc8-c2 27.Qd6-d4+ f7-f6 28.Ne7xf5+ g6xf5² ;Houdini annotates: 25...Kg8-g7 26.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-h6

45

Levon Aronian's Best Games 27.Nd5-e7 Bf5-d3 28.Qe5xg5+ Kh6xg5 29.Ne7xc8 Bd3xf1 30.Nc8-d6 Bf1-d3 31.Re1-d1 Bd3-e2 32.Rd1-d2 Be2-g4 33.Kg1-f2 Bg4-e6 34.b2-b3 Be6-f5 0.32/13 ] 26.Nd5-f6++[ Houdini annotates: 26.Nd5-f6+ Kg8-g7 27.Qd6xf8+ Kg7xf8 28.Nf6xh7+ Kf8-g7 29.Nh7xg5 Rc2-c7 30.Ng5-e4 Rc7-c6 31.b2-b3 a6-a5 32.Rf1-f2 Rc6-e6 33.Rf2-e2 Re6-c6 34.Re2-d2 Rc6-e6 35.Rd2-d4 Re6-c6 36.Ne4-d6 Bf5-e6 37.Nd6-c4 Rc6-c5 38.Kg1-f2 Rc5-f5+ 39.Kf2-g3 7.39/14 ] 26...Kg8-g7 [Houdini annotates: 26...Kg8-g7 27.Qd6xf8+ Kg7xf8 28.Nf6xh7+ Kf8-g7 29.Nh7xg5 Rc2-c7 30.Ng5-e4 Rc7-c6 31.b2-b3 a6-a5 32.Rf1-f2 Rc6-e6 33.Rf2-e2 Re6-c6 34.Re2-d2 Rc6-e6 35.Rd2-d4 Re6-c6 36.Ne4-d6 Bf5-e6 37.Nd6-c4 Rc6-c5 38.Kg1-f2 Rc5-f5+ 39.Kf2-g3 7.63/16 ] 27.Qd6xf8+!! a sacrifice that ends the game [Houdini annotates: 27.Qd6xf8+ Kg7xf8 28.Nf6xh7+ Kf8-g7 29.Nh7xg5 Rc2-c7 30.Ng5-e4 Rc7-d7 31.Ne4-c5 Rd7-d4 32.a2-a3 a6-a5 33.Re1-e7 Rd4-d2 34.b2-b3 Rd2-a2 7.27/10 ] 27...Kg7xf8 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 27...Kg7xf8 28.Nf6xh7+ Kf8-g7 29.Nh7xg5 Rc2-c7 30.Ng5-e4 Rc7-d7 31.Ne4-c5 Rd7-d4 32.a2-a3 a6-a5 33.Re1-e7 Rd4-d2 34.b2-b3 Rd2-a2 7.19/11 ] (Diagram 24) 1-0

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-mk-+0 9+-+-+p+p0 24 9p+-+-sNp+0 9+-+-+lwq-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPr+-+PzP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 5 Levon Aronian Christian Seel Neckar op-A 6th (2)

B01

28.03.2002

B01: Scandinavian Defence 1.e2-e4 d7-d5 2.e4xd5 Qd8xd5 3.Nb1-c3 Qd5-a5 4.Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6 5.d2-d3 c7-c6 6.Qd1-e2 Bc8-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 6...Bc8-g4 7.f2-f3 Bg4-d7 8.Bc1-d2 e7-e6 9.Nc3-e4 Qa5-f5 10.d3-d4 Nb8-a6 11.g2-g4 Qf5-g6 12.Ng1-h3 Na6-b4 13.0-0-0 Nf6xe4 14.f3xe4 0.19/14 ] 7.h2-h3 [Houdini annotates: 7.Ng1-f3 e7-e6 8.0-0 Nb8-d7 9.Bc1-f4 Bf8-a3 10.b2xa3 Qa5xc3 11.a3-a4 0-0 12.Bf4-d6 Rf8-d8 13.Ra1-b1 Nd7-b6 14.Bd6-e5 0.48/14 ] 7...e7-e6 [Houdini annotates: 7...e7-e6 8.Ng1-f3 Nb8-d7 9.0-0 Qa5-c7 10.Nf3-h4 Bf5-g6 11.Nh4xg6 h7xg6 12.a2-a4 Bf8-d6 13.Bc1-e3 Nd7-b6 14.Bc4-a2 0-0 15.g2-g3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nb6-d5 0.19/14 Diagram ] 8.Bc1-d2 Standard Book moves end here Bf8-b4 [Houdini annotates: 8...Qa5-c7 9.Ng1-f3 Nb8-d7 10.0-0

46

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9zppwq-+pzp-0 25 9-+pvlpsnp+0 9+-+n+-+-0 9P+-+-+-+0 9+-sNPvL-zPP0 9LzPP+QzP-+0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Bf5-g6 11.Nc3-e4 b7-b5 12.Bc4-b3 Nf6xe4 13.d3xe4 Bf8-c5 14.a2-a4 0-0 15.a4xb5 c6xb5 16.Qe2xb5 Bg6xe4 0.11/13 ] 9.Ng1-f3 [Houdini annotates: 9.g2-g4 Bf5-g6 10.a2-a3 Nf6-d5 11.Nc3xd5 Bb4xd2+ 12.Qe2xd2 Qa5xd2+ 13.Ke1xd2 c6xd5 14.Bc4-b5+ Nb8-d7 15.Ra1-e1 a7-a6 16.Bb5xd7+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0{ 9+p+L+pzpp0 26 9p+-+p+l+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-+-+P+0 9zP-+P+-+P0 9-zPPmK-zP-+0 9+-+-tR-sNR0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke8xd7 17.f2-f4 f7-f6 18.Ng1-f3 Ra8-c8 19.Nf3-d4 Bg6-f7 20.c2-c3 h7-h5 0.32/13 ] 9...Nf6-d5 [Houdini 2.

47 0c : 9...Qa5-c7 10.g2-g4 Bf5-g6 11.a2-a3 Bb4-d6 12.g4-g5 Nf6-d5 13.Bc4xd5 c6xd5 14.Nc3-b5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qc7-b6 15.Nb5xd6+ Qb6xd6 Qc7-b6 15.Nb5xd6+ Qb6xd6 16.Bd2-b4 Qd6-c7 17.Bb4-c3 0.43/12 ] 10.Bc4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 10.Ra1-b1 Nb8-d7 11.0-0 0-0 12.a2-a3 Bb4xc3 13.b2xc3 Nd5-b6 14.Bc4-b3 h7-h6 15.a3-a4 Qa5-c5 16.c3-c4 a7-a5 17.Bd2-e3 0.68/13 ] 10...c6xd5 [Houdini annotates: 10...c6xd5 11.Nf3-d4 0-0 12.a2-a3 Bb4xc3 13.Bd2xc3 Qa5-b6 14.0-0 Nb8-c6 15.Qe2-e3 Bf5-g6 16.Ra1-e1 Rf8-e8 17.Re1-e2 Ra8-c8 18.g2g4 e6-e5 19.Nd4xc6 Qb6xe3 20.f2xe3 Rc8xc6 0.38/14 ] 11.Nf3-d4 White threatens to win material: Nd4xf5 [Houdini annotates: 11.0-0 Nb8-c6 12.a2-a3 Bb4-e7 13.Bd2-e3 h7-h6 14.b2-b4 Qa5-c7 15.Nc3-b5 Qc7-d7 16.Be3-c5 0-0 17.Bc5xe7 Qd7xe7 18.Nf3-e5 Ra8-c8 19.Ne5xc6 Rc8xc6 20.Nb5xa7 0.26/12 ] 11...Bf5-g6? [ ¹11...0-0!? looks like a viable alternative 12.a2-a3 Bb4xc3 13.Bd2xc3 Qa5-c7± ;Houdini annotates: 11...0-0 12.a2-a3 Bb4xc3 13.Bd2xc3 Qa5-b6 14.0-0 Nb8-c6 15.Qe2-e3 Bf5-g6 16.Ra1-e1 Rf8-e8 17.Re1-e2 Ra8-c8 18.g2-g4 e6-e5 19.Nd4xc6 Qb6xe3 20.f2xe3 Rc8xc6 0.37/13 ] 12.h3-h4+- [Houdini annotates : 12.h3-h4 Nb8-c6 13.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 14.h4-h5 d5-d4 15.Nc3-b1 Bg6-f5 16.g2-g4 0-0 17.g4xf5 e6xf5 18.0-0 Ra8-e8 19.Qe2-d1 Qa5-b5 20.a2-a4 Qb5-b7 21.Qd1-c1 Bb4-d6 22.Rf1-e1 0.78/13 ] 12...Qa5-b6 [ Houdini annotates: 12...Nb8-c6 13.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 14.h4-h5 d5-d4

48 15.Nc3-b1 Bg6-f5 16.g2-g4 0-0 17.g4xf5 e6xf5 18.0-0 Ra8-e8 19.Qe2-d1 Qa5-b5 20.a2-a4 Qb5-b7 21.Bd2-f4 Diagram Bb4-e7 22.Ra1-a2 0.82/13 ] 13.h4-h5 [Houdini annotates: 13.h4-h5 Qb6xd4 14.h5xg6 Nb8-c6 15.g6xh7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtrk+0{ 9zpq+-+pzpp0 27 9-+p+-+-+0 9+-+-+p+P0 9Pvl-zp-vL-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-zPP+-zP-+0 9tRN+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke8-f8 16.0-0-0 Bb4xc3 17.Bd2xc3 Qd4-f4+ 18.Qe2-e3 Qf4xe3+ 19.f2xe3 f7-f6 20.Rd1-f1 Kf8-f7 21.Kc1-d2 Ra8-c8 22.a2-a3 b7-b6 23.Rf1-f3 e6-e5 1.23/14 ] 13...Bg6xh5 [ 13...Qb6xd4 14.h5xg6 h7-h6 15.0-0-0+- ;Houdini annotates: 13...Qb6xd4 14.h5xg6 Nb8-c6 15.a2-a3 Bb4-e7 16.0-0-0 0-0 17.g6xh7+ Kg8-h8 18.Bd2-e3 Qd4-f6 19.Qe2-g4 Be7xa3 20.Kc1-b1 Ba3-d6 21.Nc3-b5 1.09/12 ] 14.Rh1xh5 [ 14.Qe2xh5?! Qb6xd4 15.Rh1-h4 Qd4-b6= ;Houdini annotates: 14.Rh1xh5 Qb6xd4 15.Rh5xd5 Qd4-b6 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-f4 Qd4xf4 20.Bd2xf4 Ne5-c6 21.0-0-0 0-0 22.Nc3-e4 Bb4-e7 23.d3-d4 f7-f5 24.Ne4-d6 Rf8-d8 25.Nd6-b5 a7-a6 1.47/15 ] 14...Qb6xd4 [Houdini annotates : 14...Qb6xd4 15.Rh5xd5 Qd4-b6 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-e4 Qd4xe4+ 20.Nc3xe4 Bb4xd2+ 21.Ke1xd2 0-0 22.f2-f4 Ne5-c6

49 23.b2-b3 Rf8-d8 24.Ra1-e1 h7-h6 25.b3-b4 a7-a6 26.c2-c4 e6-e5 27.f4xe5 Nc6xe5 1.60/15 ] 15.Rh5xd5 [Houdini annotates: 15.Rh5xd5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qd4-b6 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Qd4-b6 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-e4 Qd4xe4+ 20.Nc3xe4 Bb4xd2+ 21.Ke1xd2 0-0 22.f2-f4 Ne5-c6 23.b2-b3 Rf8-d8 24.Ra1-e1 h7-h6 25.b3-b4 Ra8-c8 26.a2-a3 1.43/15 ] 15...Qd4-b6 [Houdini annotates: 15...Qd4-b6 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-e4 Qd4xe4+ 20.Nc3xe4 Bb4xd2+ 21.Ke1xd2 0-0 22.f2-f4 Ne5-c6 23.b2-b3 Rf8-d8 24.Ra1e1 h7-h6 25.c2-c4 Ra8-c8 26.Kd2-e3 Nc6-d4 1.30/15 ] 16.Rd5-b5 [ Houdini annotates: 16.Rd5-b5 Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-f4 Qd4xf4 20.Bd2xf4 Ne5-c6 21.Ke1-d2 Bb4-a5 22.Ra1-b1 Ra8-d8 23.b2-b4 Ba5-b6 24.Nc3-e4 0-0 25.Bf4-d6 1.36/14 ] 16...Qb6-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 16...Qb6-d4 17.Qe2-f3 Nb8-c6 18.Rb5xb7 Nc6-e5 19.Qf3-e4 Qd4xe4+ 20.Nc3xe4 Bb4xd2+ 21.Ke1xd2 0-0 22.f2-f4 Ne5-c6 23.b2-b3 Rf8-b8 24.Rb7-c7 Rb8-c8 25.Rc7xc8+ Ra8xc8 26.c2-c4 Rc8-d8 27.Ra1-h1 h7-h6 28.Kd2-c3 1.54/13 ] 17.Nc3-e4 [ 17.Rb5xb7 Nb8-c6 18.Nc3-e4 Bb4xd2+ 19.Qe2xd2 Qd6-d5+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 17.0-0-0 0-0 18.Rd1-h1 Nb8-c6 19.Rb5xb7 h7-h6 20.Qe2-g4 Rf8-b8 21.Rb7xb8+ Ra8xb8 22.Rh1xh6 Nc6-e5 23.Qg4-g5 Ne5-g6 24.Rh6-h1 1.74/12 ] 17...Bb4xd2+ [ Houdini annotates: 17...Bb4xd2+ 18.Qe2xd2 Qd6-h2 19.0-0-0 0-0 20.Rb5xb7 Qh2xg2 21.Qd2-c3 h7-h6 22.a2-a4 a7-a5 23.Kc1-b1 Rf8-d8 24.Rb7-e7 Qg2-h2 25.f2-f4 Nb8-a6 26.Qc3xa5 Qh2-h4 27.Re7-b7 Qh4xf4 28.Rd1-g1 Qf4-e3 29.Rg1-g2 1.32/13 ]

50 18.Qe2xd2 [ 18.Ke1xd2?! Qd6-f4+ 19.Qe2-e3 Qf4xe3+ 20.f2xe3 b7-b6± ; 18.Ne4xd2?! Nb8-c6 19.Nd2-e4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qd6-h2² ;Houdini annotates: 18.Qe2xd2 Qd6-h2 19.Rb5xb7 0-0 20.0-0-0 Qh2xg2 21.Qd2-c3 h7-h6 22.a2-a4 a7-a5 23.Kc1-b1 Rf8-d8 24.Rb7-e7 Qg2-h2 25.f2-f4 Nb8-a6 26.Qc3xa5 Qh2-h4 27.Re7-b7 Qh4xf4 28.Rd1-g1 Qf4-e3 29.Rg1-g2 1.05/14 ] 18...Qd6-c6? [ 18...Qd6-h2 19.0-0-0 0-0+- ;Houdini annotates: 18...Qd6-h2 19.Rb5xb7 0-0 20.0-0-0 Qh2xg2 21.Qd2-c3 h7-h5 22.Qc3-c5 f7-f5 23.Ne4-d6 Kg8-h7 24.Rd1-e1 Nb8-c6 25.Rb7-c7 Qg2-g5+ 26.Kc1-b1 1.03/13 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-tr-+0{ 9zp-tR-+-zpk0 28 9-+nsNp+-+0 9+-wQ-+pwqp0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9PzPP+-zP-+0 9+K+-tR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy ] 19.Rb5-c5 [Houdini annotates: 19.Rb5-c5 Qc6-d7 20.Rc5-c8+ Qd7xc8 21.Ne4-d6+ Ke8-d7 22.Nd6xc8 Rh8xc8 23.d3-d4 Kd7-e8 24.d4-d5 e6xd5 25.Qd2xd5 Nb8-c6 26.Qd5-e4+ Ke8-f8 27.Qe4xh7 Rc8-e8+ 28.Ke1-f1 f7-f6 29.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-f7 30.Qh8-h5+ Kf7-g8 31.Qh5-d5+ Kg8-h8 32.Qd5-d3 Re8-e7 33.Ra1-d1 Ra8-e8 34.b2-b4 Re7-e4 35.c2-c3 2.40/15 ] 19...Qc6-d7 [Houdini annotates: 19...Qc6-d7 20.Rc5-c8+ Qd7xc8 21.Ne4-d6+

51 Ke8-d7 22.Nd6xc8 Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-f4 Kd7-e7 24.Ke1-d2 h7-h6 25.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-e8 26.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 27.Qb7-a6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ra8-b8 28.b2-b3 Ke8-f8 29.c2-c3 Ra8-b8 28.b2-b3 Ke8-f8 29.c2-c3 Kf8-g8 30.g2-g3 Rc8-c7 31.Ra1-h1 2.64/14 ] 20.Rc5-c8+! Decoy: c8 [ Houdini annotates: 20.Rc5-c8+ Qd7xc8 21.Ne4-d6+ Ke8-d7 22.Nd6xc8 Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-f4 Kd7-e8 24.Ke1-d2 Nb8-c6 25.Ra1-e1 Rc8-d8 26.c2-c3 h7-h6 27.Qf4-f5 g7-g6 28.Qf5-f3 Rd8-d6 29.d3-d4 h6-h5 30.b2-b4 Ke8-f8 31.b4-b5 Nc6-a5 2.44/15 ] 20...Qd7xc8 [Houdini annotates: 20...Qd7xc8 21.Ne4-d6+ Ke8-e7 22.Nd6xc8+ Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-b4+ Ke7-e8 24.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 25.c2-c3 a7-a5 26.b2-b3 Ra8-b8 27.Qb7-a6 Ke8-f8 28.Ke1-d2 g7-g6 29.Ra1-h1 Kf8-g7 30.Qa6-c4 2.62/13 ] 21.Ne4-d6+ [Houdini annotates : 21.Ne4-d6+ Ke8-e7 22.Nd6xc8+ Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-b4+ Ke7-e8 24.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 25.c2-c3 a7-a5 26.b2-b3 Ra8-b8 27.Qb7-a6 Ke8-f8 28.Ke1-d2 h7-h5 29.Ra1-e1 g7-g6 30.d3-d4 Kf8-g7 31.Qa6-d3 Nc6-e7 2.26/14 ] 21...Ke8-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Ke8-e7 22.Nd6xc8+ Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-b4+ Ke7-e8 24.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 25.c2-c3 a7-a5 26.b2-b3 Ra8-b8 27.Qb7-a6 Ke8-f8 28.Ke1-d2 h7-h5 29.Ra1-e1 g7-g6 30.d3-d4 Kf8-g7 31.Qa6-d3 Nc6-e7 2.53/15 ] 22.Nd6xc8 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Nd6xc8 Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-f4 Kd7-e7 24.Ke1-d2 h7-h6 25.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-e8 26.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 27.Qb7-a6 Ra8-b8 28.b2-b3 Ke8-f8 29.c2-c3 Kf8-g8 Diagram (Diagram 29) 30.g2-g3 Rc8-c7 31.Ra1-h1 2.40/14 ] 22...Rh8xc8 [Houdini annotates:

52 22...Rh8xc8 23.Qd2-f4 Kd7-e7 24.Ke1-d2 h7-h6 25.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-e8 26.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 27.Qb7-a6 Ra8-b8

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trr+-+k+0 9zp-+-+pzp-0 29 9Q+n+p+-zp0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+PzPP+-+-0 9P+-mK-zPP+0 9tR-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 28.b2-b3 Ke8-f8 29.c2-c3 Kf8-g8 30.Ra1-e1 Rc8-c7 31.d3-d4 Rb8-d8 32.Qa6-d3 2.28/16 ] 23.Qd2-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 23.d3-d4 Kd7-e8 24.d4-d5 e6xd5 25.Qd2xd5 Nb8-c6 26.Qd5-e4+ Ke8-f8 27.Qe4xh7 Rc8-e8+ 28.Ke1-f1 f7-f6 29.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-f7 30.Qh8-h5+ Kf7-f8 31.Qh5-b5 Ra8-b8 32.Ra1-d1 Re8-e5 33.Qb5-b3 Re5-e7 34.Kf1-g1 Rb8-d8 35.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 2.22/14 ] 23...Kd7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 23...Kd7-e7 24.Ke1-d2 h7-h6 25.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-e8 26.Qb4xb7 Nb8-c6 27.Qb7-a6 Ra8-b8 28.b2-b3 Ke8-f8 29.c2-c3 Kf8-g8 30.Ra1-e1 Rc8-c7 31.d3-d4 Rb8-d8 32.Qa6-d3 2.24/15 ] 24.Qf4-e4 [Houdini annotates: 24.Ke1-d2 Nb8-c6 25.Ra1-e1 Rc8-d8 26.c2-c3 h7-h6 27.Qf4-f5 g7-g6 28.Qf5-f3 Rd8-d6 29.d3-d4 h6-h5 30.b2-b4 Ke8-f8 31.b4-b5 Nc6-a5 2.15/14 ] 24...Nb8-c6 [ 24...h7-h5 does not solve anything 25.d3-d4 Nb8-d7 26.0-0-0+( 26.Qe4xb7?! Ra8-b8 27.Qb7-a6

53 Rc8xc2+- );Houdini annotates: 24...g7-g6 25.Qe4xb7 Nb8-c6 26.Qb7-a6 Rc8-c7 27.Ke1-d2 Ke8-f8 28.Qa6-a3+ Kf8-g7 29.Qa3-d6 Ra8-c8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.c2-c3 a7-a5 31.Ra1-h1 Rc7-b7 30.c2-c3 a7-a5 31.Ra1-h1 Rc7-b7 32.b2-b3 h7-h5 33.c3-c4 e6-e5 34.c4-c5 2.16/14 ] 25.Qe4xh7 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Qe4xh7 Ke8-e7 26.Qh7-h4+ f7-f6 27.Ke1-d2 Ke7-f7 28.Qh4-h5+ Kf7-g8 29.Ra1-e1 Rc8-e8 30.c2-c3 Ra8-d8 31.Kd2-c2 Re8-e7 32.Re1-h1 b7-b6 33.f2-f4 Re7-c7 34.f4-f5 e6xf5 35.Qh5xf5 2.93/15 ] 25...Nc6-b4 [ 25...Ke8-e7 does not improve anything 26.Qh7h4+ Ke7-d7 27.Qh4-f4+- ;Houdini annotates: 25...Ke8-e7 26.Qh7-h4+ f7-f6 27.Ke1-d2 Ke7-f7 28.Qh4-h5+ Kf7-g8 29.Ra1-e1 e6-e5 30.c2-c3 Rc8-d8 31.Re1-h1 Ra8-c8 32.Qh5-g4 Kg8-f7 33.Rh1-h7 2.72/13 ] 26.Ra1-c1 [ 26.Ke1-d1 and White can already relax Nb4-d5 27.Qh7xg7 Ke8-e7 28.Qg7-g5+ Nd5-f6+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 26.Ke1-d1 a7-a5 27.a2-a3 Nb4-d5 28.Qh7xg7 Ke8-e7 29.Qg7-g5+ Nd5-f6 30.c2-c4 b7-b6 31.Qg5-e3 Rc8-c5 32.Kd1-c2 Ra8-g8 33.Qe3-f3 b6-b5 34.b2-b4 3.41/14 ] 26...g7-g6 [ 26...Nb4xa2 doesn't change the outcome of the game 27.Rc1-d1 Na2-b4 28.c2-c3+; Houdini annotates: 26...Nb4xa2 27.Rc1-d1 Na2-b4 28.c2-c3 Nb4-d5 29.Qh7xg7 Ke8-e7 30.Qg7-g5+ Nd5-f6 31.Qg5-b5 b7-b6 32.Qb5b4+ Ke7-d7 33.Qb4-f4 Kd7-e7 34.Ke1-d2 Rc8-g8 35.Qf4-b4+ Ke7-d7 36.g2-g3 Rg8-h8 37.Rd1-a1 Nf6-d5 38.Qb4-a4+ Kd7-c7 2.55/13 ] 27.Ke1-d2 [Houdini annotates: 27.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 28.Qh8d4+ Nb4-d5 29.Ke1-d2 Kd7-e7 30.Qd4-h4+ Ke7-f8 31.c2-c4 Nd5-b6

54 32.Rc1-h1 Nb6-d7 33.Qh4-e4 Rc8-b8 34.Qe4-d4 Kf8-e7 35.Rh1-h7 Rb8-f8 36.Qd4-e4 b7-b6 37.Qe4xg6 Nd7-f6 38.Rh7-g7 Ra8-d8 39.Kd2-c3 Rd8-c8 40.g2-g4 Nf6-d5+ 41.Kc3-d2 3.88/14 ]

55

Levon Aronian's Best Games 27...Nb4xa2 [ 27...a7-a5 doesn't change anything anymore 28.a2-a3 Nb4-d5 29.Qh7-h4+- ; Houdini annotates: 27...a7-a5 28.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 29.Qh8-d4+ Kd7-e7 30.Qd4-h4+ Ke7-f8 31.a2-a3 Nb4-c6 32.Qh4-f6 Nc6-e7 33.Rc1-h1 Ne7-g8 34.Qf6-e5 Kf8-e7 35.Qe5-e4 Rc8-c6 36.Rh1-h7 3.36/14 ] 28.Rc1-a1 [ ¹28.Qh7-h8+ secures the point Ke8-e7 29.Qh8-h4+ g6-g5 30.Qh4xg5+ f7-f6 31.Qg5-g7+ Ke7-d6 32.Rc1-e1+- ;Houdini annotates: 28.Rc1-a1 Ke8-e7 29.Qh7-h4+ Ke7-f8 30.Ra1xa2 Kf8-g8 31.Qh4-e7 a7-a5 32.Qe7xb7 Rc8-b8 33.Qb7-c7 Rb8-b5 34.c2-c4 Rb5-g5 35.g2-g3 Rg5-f5 36.f2-f4 Rf5-h5 37.Kd2-c3 Kg8-g7 38.c4-c5 6.37/13 ] 28...Na2-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Ke8-e7 29.Qh7-h4+ Ke7-f8 30.Ra1xa2 Kf8-g8 31.Qh4-e7 a7-a5 32.Qe7xb7 Rc8-b8 33.Qb7-c7 Rb8-b5 34.c2-c4 Rb5-g5 35.g2-g3 Rg5-f5 36.f2-f4 Rf5-h5 37.Kd2-c3 Kg8-g7 38.c4-c5 6.53/14 ] 29.Qh7-h8+ Diagram [ 29.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 30.Qh8-d4+ Kd7-e8 31.Qd4xb4+- ;Houdini annotates: 29.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-e7 30.Qh8-h4+ Ke7-d7 31.Qh4-d4+ Kd7-c6 32.Qd4xb4 b7-b6 33.Ra1-h1 Rc8-f8 34.Rh1-h7 Kc6-d7 35.Qb4-e4 Kd7-d6 36.Qe4-b7 g6-g5 37.c2-c4 Ra8-d8 38.Qb7xa7 6.73/12 ] (Diagram 30) 1-0

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+k+-wQ0{ 9zpp+-+p+-0 30 9-+-+p+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-sn-+-+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-zPPmK-zPP+0 9tR-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 6

D45

Levon Aronian Hannes Stefansson 5th Individual European Chess Champions (3) D45: Semi-Slav: 5 e3 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 5.e2-e3 Nb8-d7 6.Qd1-c2 Bf8-d6 7.g2-g4 Nf6xg4 8.Rh1-g1 f7-f5 9.h2-h3 Ng4-f6 10.Rg1xg7 Nf6-e4 11.Bc1-d2 Qd8-f6 12.Rg7-g2 Nd7-f8 13.0-0-0 Nf8-g6 14.Qc2-b3 b7-b6 15.Kc1-b1 Bc8-d7 16.Bd2-e1 Ke8-e7 17.c4xd5 e6xd5 18.Nc3-e2 a7-a5 19.Ne2-f4 a5-a4 20.Qb3-c2 Rh8-g8 Standard Book moves end here 21.a2-a3 Prevents intrusion on b4 [ Houdini annotates: 21.Nf4-h5 Qf6-f7 22.Nh5-g3 a4-a3 23.b2-b3 Qf7-f6 24.Bf1-e2 h7-h6 25.Ng3-h5 Qf6-f7 26.Be1-c3 f5-f4 27.Bc3-e1 c6-c5 0.27/12 ] 21...Ke7-f7 [ ¹21...Ng6xf4!? might be a viable

Levon Aronian's Best Games alternative 22.Rg2xg8 Ra8xg8 23.e3xf4 Qf6-h6= ;Houdini annotates: 21...Ng6xf4 22.Rg2xg8 Ra8xg8 23.e3xf4 Bd6xf4 24.Qc2xa4 c6-c5

56

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25.Bf1-b5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+lmk-+p0 31 9-zp-+-wq-+0 9+Lzpp+p+-0 9Q+-zPnvl-+0 9zP-+-+N+P0 9-zP-+-zP-+0 9+K+RvL-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Bd7xb5 26.Qa4xb5 Rg8-b8 27.Qb5-b3 c5-c4 28.Qb3-a4 Ke7-d6 29.Qa4-b5 Qf6-e6 30.Nf3-e5 Kd6-c7 0.09/12 ] 22.Nf4-d3 Black has a very active position [Houdini annotates: 22.Nf4-h5 Qf6-e7 23.Bf1-e2 Ng6-h4 24.Nf3xh4 Qe7xh4 25.Rg2xg8 Ra8xg8 26.f2-f3 Qh4xh5 27.f3xe4 Qh5xh3 28.e4-e5 Bd6-e7 29.Be1-f2 Qh3-g2 30.Be2-d3 Qg2-f3 31.Rd1-f1 c6-c5 32.Bf2-h4 Qf3-g2 0.32/12 ] 22...Kf7-e7 [Houdini annotates: 22...f5-f4 23.e3xf4 Bd6xf4 24.Rg2xg6 Rg8xg6 25.Nf3-e5+ Bf4xe5 26.Nd3xe5+ Diagram (Diagram 32) Kf7-e8 27.Ne5xg6 h7xg6 28.Bf1-d3 Qf6-f3 29.Bd3-e2 Qf3-b3 30.f2-f3 Qb3xc2+ 31.Kb1xc2 0.43/12 ] 23.Be1-b4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Nd3-b4 Ke7-f8 24.h3-h4 Ra8-c8 25.h4-h5 Ng6-e7 26.Qc2xa4 f5-f4 27.Nf3-d2 Ne4xd2+ 28.Be1xd2 Rg8xg2 29.Bf1xg2 f4xe3 30.f2xe3

57 Qf6-f5+ 31.Qa4-c2 Qf5xh5 0.75/13 ] 23...Bd6xb4 [Houdini annotates: 23...b6-b5 24.Bb4xd6+ Qf6xd6

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIII Y XIIIIIIII Y 9r+-+-++0{ 9+-+l+k+p0 32

9-zpp+wqr+0 9+-+psN-+0 9p+-zPn++0 9zP-+-++P0 9-zPQ+-zP+0 9+K+RvLL+0 xiiiiiiii y 25.Nf3-e5 Ng6xe5 26.d4xe5 Qd6-e6 27.f2-f3 Rg8xg2 28.Bf1xg2 Ne4-g3 29.Qc2-c3 Ke7-f7 30.Nd3-c5 Ng3-e2 0.81/11 ] 24.Nd3xb4 [Less advisable is 24.a3xb4 a4-a3= ;Houdini annotates: 24.Nd3xb4 f5f4 25.Rd1-e1 f4xe3 26.Re1xe3 Ng6-f4 27.Rg2xg8 Ra8xg8 28.Qc2xa4 Qf6-d6 29.Qa4-c2 Ke7-f6 30.Nb4-d3 Nf4-g2 31.Bf1xg2 Rg8xg2 32.Nf3-e5 Kf6-g7 33.Re3-e1 0.72/12 ] 24...Ke7-d6? [ 24...f5-f4

58 25.Bf1-d3 f4xe3 26.Bd3xe4 d5xe4 27.Qc2xe4+ Qf6-e6 28.Qe4xe3 Qe6xe3 29.f2xe3 Bd7xh3 30.Rg2-f2² ( ‹30.Nb4xc6+ Ke7-d6 31.Rg2-c2 Bh3-f5³ );Houdini annotates: 24...f5-f4 25.Nf3-e5 Ng6xe5 26.d4xe5 Qf6-f5 27.e3xf4 Rg8xg2 28.Bf1xg2 Ra8-c8 29.Nb4-d3 c6-c5 30.Rd1-g1 Rc8-g8 31.f2-f3 Ne4-g3 32.h3-h4 c5-c4 0.62/11 ] 25.Kb1-a1 [ 25.Bf1-d3 Kd6-e7+- ;Houdini annotates: 25.Bf1-d3 Kd6-e7 26.Rd1-c1 Ke7-f8 27.Rg2-g1 h7-h6 28.Nb4xc6 Bd7xc6 29.Qc2xc6 Qf6xc6 30.Rc1xc6 Ng6-e7 31.Rg1xg8+ Kf8xg8 32.Rc6xh6 Ne4xf2 1.39/11 ] 25...f5-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 25...Kd6-e7 26.Bf1-b5 Rg8-c8 27.Bb5-a6 Rc8-c7 28.h3-h4 Ke7-d8 29.h4-h5 Ng6-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Ba6-d3 Bd7-e8 31.Nf3-e5 Be8xh5 32.f2-f3 c6-c5 1.19/12 ] 26.Bf1-d3 Diagram [ 26.e3xf4 Qf6xf4 27.Bf1-e2± ;Houdini annotates: 26.Bf1-d3 f4xe3 27.Bd3xe4 e3-e2 28.Rd1-c1 d5xe4 29.Qc2xe4 Ra8-c8 30.Rg2-g5 Qf6-e6 31.Nf3-e5 Kd6-e7 32.Nb4-d3 Rc8-e8 33.Qe4xe2 Ke7-d8 34.Rg5-h5 Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5 Qe6-f7 36.Rh5-h6 Kd8-c8 37.Nd3-b4 0.97/12 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+l+-+p0 33 9-zppmk-wqn+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9psN-zPnzp-+0 9zP-+LzPN+P0 9-zPQ+-zPR+0 9mK-+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 26...Ra8-e8?? Black falls apart [ 26...f4xe3 27.Bd3xe4 e3-e2± ; Houdini annotates: 26...f4xe3 27.Bd3xe4 e3-e2 28.Rd1-c1 d5xe4 29.Qc2xe4 Ra8-c8 30.Rg2-g5 Qf6-e6 31.Nf3-e5 Kd6-e7 32.Nb4-d3 Rc8-e8 33.Qe4xe2 Ke7-d8 34.Rg5-h5 Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5 Qe6-f7 36.Rh5-h6 Kd8-c8 1.57/12 ] 27.Nf3-e5 [Houdini annotates: 27.Nf3-e5 f4xe3 28.f2xe3 Ng6xe5 29.d4xe5+ Qf6xe5 30.Bd3xe4 Qe5xe4 31.Qc2xe4 Re8xe4 32.Rg2xg8 Re4xe3 33.Rg8-b8 b6-b5 34.Rb8-b6 Re3xh3 35.Rd1-c1 h7-h5 36.Nb4xc6 Bd7xc6 37.Rc1xc6+ Kd6-e5 38.Rb6xb5 h5-h4 39.Rc6-h6 Rh3-h1+ 40.Ka1-a2 h4-h3

59 41.Rh6-h5+ Ke5-e4 42.Rb5-b4+ d5-d4 43.Rh5-h4+ Ke4-f3 44.Rb4xd4 3.41/13 ] 27...f4xe3 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 27...Kd6-e7 28.Bd3xe4 d5xe4 x64: 27...Kd6-e7 28.Bd3xe4 d5xe4 29.e3xf4 Qf6-d6 30.Nb4xc6+ Bd7xc6 31.Ne5xc6+ Ke7-f8 32.Nc6-e5 Rg8-g7 33.Qc2xe4 b6-b5 34.Rd1-g1 Rg7-c7 35.Ne5xg6+ h7xg6 36.Qe4xg6 Qd6xg6 37.Rg2xg6 3.33/11 ] 28.f2xe3 [Weaker is 28.Bd3xe4 e3-e2 29.Qc2xe2 d5xe4+- ;Houdini annotates: 28.f2xe3 Ng6xe5 29.d4xe5+ Qf6xe5 30.Bd3xe4 Qe5xe4 31.Qc2xe4 Re8xe4 32.Rg2xg8 Re4xe3 33.Rg8-b8 b6-b5 34.Rb8-b6 Re3xh3 35.Rd1-c1 h7-h5 36.Nb4xc6 Bd7xc6 37.Rc1xc6+ Kd6-e5 38.Rb6xb5 h5-h4 39.Rc6-h6 Rh3-h1+ 40.Ka1-a2 h4-h3 41.Rh6-h5+ Ke5-e4 42.Rb5-b4+ d5-d4 43.Rh5-h4+ Ke4-f3 44.Rb4xd4 3.41/12 ] 28...Qf6-f5 [ 28...Ng6xe5 hardly improves anything 29.d4xe5+ Qf6xe5 30.Rg2xg8 Re8xg8 31.Bd3xe4+- ;Houdini annotates: 28...Ng6xe5 29.d4xe5+ Qf6xe5 30.Bd3xe4 Qe5xe4 31.Qc2xe4 Re8xe4 32.Rg2xg8 Re4xe3 33.Rg8-b8 b6-b5 34.Rb8-b6 Re3xh3 35.Rd1-c1 h7-h5 36.Nb4xc6 Bd7xc6 37.Rc1xc6+ Kd6-e5 38.Rb6xb5 h5-h4 39.Rc6-h6 Rh3-h1+ 40.Ka1-a2 h4-h3 41.Rh6-h5+ Ke5-e4 42.Rb5-b4+ d5-d4 43.Rh5-h4+ Ke4-f3 44.Rb4xd4 3.78/12 ] 29.Rg2-g5!! Deflection: e4 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Rg2-g5 Qf5xg5 30.Ne5-f7+ Kd6-e7 31.Nf7xg5 Ne4xg5 32.Nb4xc6+ Ke7-f8 33.Nc6-b4 Ng6-e7 34.Rd1-f1+ Ng5-f7 35.h3-h4 Re8-c8 36.Qc2-h2 Kf8-e8 37.Qh2-h1 Bd7-e6 38.Rf1-f6 Nf7-d8 39.Qh1-d1 Rg8-g2 40.Qd1xa4+ Be6-d7 41.Qa4-a7 5.12/13 ] 29...Qf5xh3 [ 29...Ne4xg5 30.Bd3xf5 Deflection Pinning ; 29...Qf5xg5 30.Ne5-f7+ Decoy Double attack ;

60 29...-30.Rg5xf5 Wins material ; … Houdini annotates: 29...Qf5xg5 30.Ne5-f7+ Kd6-e7 31.Nf7xg5 Ne4xg5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Nb4xc6+ Ke7-f8 33.Nc6-b4 Ng6-e7 34.Rd1-f1+ Ng5-f7 35.h3-h4 Bd7-h3 36.Rf1-f6 Bh3-d7 37.Qc2-f2 Rg8-g7 38.Rf6xb6 Kf8-g8 39.Rb6-b7 4.84/11 ] 30.Bd3xe4 [Houdini annotates: 30.Bd3xe4 d5xe4 31.Ne5xd7 Qh3xd7 32.Rd1-f1 Rg8-f8 33.Rg5xg6+ h7xg6 34.Qc2-h2+ Kd6-e7 35.Qh2-h4+ Ke7-e6 36.Qh4-g4+ Ke6-e7 37.Qg4-g5+ Ke7-d6 38.Rf1xf8 Kd6-c7 39.Rf8-f6 Re8-e6 40.Qg5xg6 Re6xf6 41.Qg6xf6 Qd7-d6 42.Qf6-g7+ Kc7-b8 43.Qg7-f7 Kb8-c8 44.Qf7-e8+ Kc8-c7 45.Qe8xe4 Qd6-f6 46.Qe4-h7+ Kc7-c8 47.Qh7-a7 b6-b5 48.Qa7-h7 5.35/12 ] 30...d5xe4 [Houdini annotates: 30...d5xe4 31.Ne5xd7 Qh3xd7 32.Rd1-f1 Rg8-f8 33.Rg5xg6+ h7xg6 34.Qc2-h2+ Kd6-e7 35.Qh2-h4+ Ke7-e6 36.Qh4-g4+ Ke6-e7 37.Qg4-g5+ Ke7-d6 38.Rf1xf8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtR-+0{ 9+-+q+-+-0 34 9-zppmk-+p+0 9+-+-+-wQ-0 9psN-zPp+-+0 9zP-+-zP-+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9mK-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kd6-c7 Re6xf6 Kc7-b8 Kc8-c7

39.Rf8-f6 Re8-e6 40.Qg5xg6 41.Qg6xf6 Qd7-d6 42.Qf6-g7+ 43.Qg7-f7 Kb8-c8 44.Qf7-e8+ 45.Qe8xe4 Qd6-f6

61 46.Qe4-h7+ Kc7-c8 47.Qh7-a7 b6-b5 48.Qa7-h7 5.59/13 ] 31.Ne5xc6 [ 31.Nb4xc6 Re8-c8 32.Qc2-c4 Bd7xc6 33.Ne5xc6 Qh3xe3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Rg5-d5+ Kd6-e6 35.Rd5-d8+ 34.Rg5-d5+ Kd6-e6 35.Rd5-d8+ Ke6-f5 36.Rd8xg8 Rc8xg8 37.Qc4xg8 Kf5-g5+- ;Houdini annotates: 31.Ne5xd7 Qh3xd7 32.Rd1-f1 Rg8-f8 33.Rg5xg6+ h7xg6 34.Qc2h2+ Kd6-e7 35.Qh2-h4+ Ke7e6 36.Qh4-g4+ Ke6-e7 37.Qg4-g5+ Ke7-d6 38.Rf1xf8 Kd6-c7 39.Rf8f6 Re8-e6 40.Qg5xg6 Re6xf6 41.Qg6xf6 Kc7-b7 42.Qf6-g6 Qd7-c7 43.Qg6xe4 Qc7-d7 44.Qe4-c2 b6-b5 45.Ka1-b1 5.30/11 ] 31...Qh3xe3 [Houdini annotates : 31...Kd6-e6 32.Nb4-d5 Qh3-f3 33.Nd5xb6 Bd7xc6 34.Qc2xc6+ Ke6-f7 35.Rd1-g1 Qf3-f6 36.Qc6xa4 Kf7-g7 37.Nb6-d5 Qf6-d6 38.Rg1-h1 Re8-a8 39.Qa4-c2 h7-h6 3.78/11 ] 32.Rg5-d5+ [Houdini annotates : 32.Rg5-b5 Re8-c8 33.Rb5xb6 Kd6-e6 34.Qc2-c4+ Ke6-f5 35.Qc4-d5+ Kf5-f4 36.Qd5xd7 Kf4-g3 37.Nb4-d5 Qe3-f2 38.Rd1-h1 Ng6-f4 39.Nd5-f6 5.89/10 ] 32...Kd6-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 32...Kd6-e6 33.Rd5xd7 Ke6xd7 34.Nc6e5+ Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5+ Kd7e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Nb4-d5 Qe3-g3 38.Rd1-f1+ Kf5xe5 39.Nd5-c7 Ke5-d4 40.Qc6xa4+ Kd4-e5 41.Qa4b5+ Ke5-d4 42.Qb5xb6+ Kd4d3 43.Qb6-b5+ Kd3-d4 44.Nc7xe8 3.45/9 ] 33.Rd5xd7 [Houdini annotates: 33.Rd5xd7 Ke6xd7 34.Nc6e5+ Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5+ Kd7e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Qe3-f3 38.Rf1xf3+ e4xf3 39.Qc6xf3+ Kf5xe5

62 40.Qf3-h5+ Ke5-e6 41.Ka1-a2 Rg8-h8 42.Nb4-d5 Re8-d8 43.Nd5xb6 Rd8-d4 44.Qh5-h3+ Ke6-e5 45.Qh3-e3+ Rd4-e4 46.Qe3-c3+ Re4-d4 47.Nb6xa4 4.19/10 ] 33...Ke6xd7 [ 33...Qe3-b3 34.Nc6-d8+! Decoy: d8 Re8xd8 35.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 36.Rd1-f1+ Ng6-f4 37.Nb4-d5 Rg8-g6 38.Qc6-c7 Qb3-d1+ 39.Rf1xd1

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nf4xd5 40.Qc7-e5+ Kf5-g4 41.Qe5xe4+ Kg4-g3 42.Rd1-d3+ Nd5-e3 43.Rd3xe3+ Kg3-f2 44.Qe4-f3+ Kf2-g1 45.Re3-e1+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-+0{ 9+-+R+-+p0 35 9-zp-+-+r+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9p+-zP-+-+0 9zP-+-+Q+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9mK-+-tR-mk-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg1-h2 46.Re1-h1# ;Houdini annotates: 33...Ke6xd7 34.Nc6-e5+ Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5+ Kd7-e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Qe3-f3 38.Rf1xf3+ e4xf3 39.Qc6xf3+ Kf5xe5 40.Qf3-h5+ Ke5-f6 41.Nb4-d5+ Kf6-g7 42.Nd5xb6 Rg8-f8 43.Qh5-g4+ Kg7-h6 44.Qg4xa4 Kh6-g5 45.Qa4-b5+ Kg5-g6 46.Qb5-c6+ Kg6-g7 47.Qc6-g2+ Kg7-f7 48.a3-a4 h7-h5 49.a4-a5 Re8-e1+ 50.Ka1-a2 4.45/12 ] 34.Nc6-e5+ [Houdini annotates: 34.Nc6-e5+ Ng6xe5 35.d4xe5+ Kd7-e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Kf5-g4 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Nd5-f6+ Kg4-h3 40.Nf6xe8 Rg8-g1 41.Rf1xg1 Qd4xg1+ 42.Ka1-a2 Qg1-g3 43.e5-e6 Qg3-b3+ 44.Ka2-b1 Qb3-d1+ 45.Qc6-c1 Qd1-d3+ 46.Qc1-c2 Kh3-h4 47.Ne8-c7 Kh4-g4 48.e6-e7 2.76/9 ] 34...Ng6xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 34...Ng6xe5

63 35.d4xe5+ Kd7-e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Qe3-f3 38.Rf1xf3+ e4xf3 39.Nb4-d3 Kf5-g4 40.Nd3-e1 Re8-f8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 41.Ne1xf3 h7-h5 42.Ka1-a2 b6-b5 41.Ne1xf3 h7-h5 42.Ka1-a2 b6-b5 43.Nf3-d4 h5-h4 44.Qc6-e4+ Kg4-h5 45.Nd4xb5 3.69/9 ] 35.d4xe5+ [ Houdini annotates: 35.d4xe5+ Kd7-e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Qe3-f3 38.Rf1xf3+ e4xf3 39.Nb4-d3 Kf5-g4 40.Nd3-e1 Re8-f8 41.Ne1xf3 h7-h5 42.Ka1-a2 b6-b5 43.Nf3-d4 h5-h4 44.Qc6-e4+ Kg4-h5 45.Nd4xb5 3.42/9 ] 35...Kd7-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 35...Kd7-e6 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Kf5-g4 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Nd5-f6+ Kg4-h3 40.Nf6xe8 Rg8-g1 41.Rf1xg1 Qd4xg1+ 42.Ka1-a2 Qg1-f2 43.Qc6xa4 Qf2-f7+ 44.Qa4-b3+ Qf7xb3+ 45.Ka2xb3 e4-e3 2.88/9 ] 36.Qc2-c6+ [Houdini annotates: 36.Qc2-c6+ Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Qe3-f3 38.Rf1xf3+ e4xf3 39.Nb4-d3 Kf5-g4 40.Nd3-e1 Re8-f8 41.Ne1xf3 h7-h5 42.Ka1-a2 b6-b5 43.Nf3-d4 h5-h4 44.Qc6-e4+ Kg4-h5 45.Nd4xb5 3.37/10 ] 36...Ke6xe5 [ 36...Ke6-f5 37.Nb4-d5 Qe3-g3 38.Rd1-f1+ Kf5xe5 39.Nd5-f6+- ;Houdini annotates: 36...Ke6-f5 37.Rd1-f1+ Kf5-g4 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Nd5-f6+ Kg4-h3 40.Nf6xe8 Rg8-g1 41.Rf1xg1 Qd4xg1+ 42.Ka1-a2 h7-h5 43.e5-e6 Qg1-d4 44.Ne8-d6 2.86/9 ] 37.Qc6-d6+ [Houdini annotates: 37.Qc6-d6+ Ke5-f5 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Rd1xd4 Kf5-g4 40.Rd4-d1 Re8-f8 41.Rd1-g1+ Kg4-f3 42.Rg1-f1+ Kf3-e2 43.Rf1xf8 Rg8xf8 44.Qd6xf8 Ke2-d3 45.Qf8-b4 e4-e3 46.Qb4-c3+ Kd3-e4 47.Nd5xe3 14.96/9 ] 37...Ke5-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 37...Ke5-f5 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Rd1xd4 Kf5-g4 40.Rd4-d1 Re8-f8 41.Rd1-g1+ Kg4-f3 42.Rg1-f1+ Kf3-e2 43.Rf1xf8 Rg8xf8

64 44.Qd6xf8 Ke2-d3 45.Qf8-b4 e4-e3 46.Qb4-c3+ Kd3-e4 47.Nd5xe3 15.15/1 ] 38.Nb4-d5 [Houdini annotates

65

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 38.Nb4-d5 Qe3-d4 39.Rd1xd4 Kf5-g4 40.Rd4-d1 Re8-f8 41.Rd1-g1+ Kg4-f3 42.Rg1-f1+ Kf3-e2 43.Rf1xf8 Rg8xf8 44.Qd6xf8 Ke2-d3 45.Qf8-b4 e4-e3 46.Qb4-c3+ Kd3-e4 47.Nd5xe3 14.96/11 ] 38...Qe3-g3 [ 38...Qe3-f3 39.Qd6-f6+ Kf5-g4 40.Rd1-g1+ Kg4-h5 41.Nd5-f4+ Qf3xf4 42.Rg1-h1+ Kh5-g4 43.Rh1-h4+ Kg4-f3 44.Qf6xf4+ Kf3-e2 45.Rh4-h2+ Ke2-d3 46.Rh2-d2+ Kd3-c4 47.Qf4-c7+ Kc4-b5 48.Rd2-d5+ Kb5-a6 49.Qc7-c4+ Ka6-b7 50.Rd5-d7+ Kb7-b8 51.Qc4-c7+ Kb8-a8 52.Qc7-b7# ; Houdini annotates: 38...Rg8-g3 39.Qd6-f6+ Kf5-g4 40.Nd5xe3+ Rg3xe3 41.Rd1-g1+ Re3-g3 42.Qf6-g7+ Kg4-f5 43.Rg1xg3 Re8-b8 44.Qg7-g5+ Kf5-e6 45.Qg5-h6+ Ke6-e5 46.Rg3-g5+ Ke5-f4 47.Rg5-g8+ Kf4-f3 48.Rg8xb8 e4-e3 49.Rb8-f8+ Kf3-e4 50.Qh6xh7+ Ke4-e5 51.Qh7-c7+ Ke5-d5 52.Qc7xb6 17.00/12 ] 39.Rd1-f1+ [ Houdini annotates: 39.Rd1-f1+ Kf5-g4 40.Qd6-d7+ Re8-e6 41.Qd7xe6+ Kg4-g5 42.Qe6-f5+ Kg5-h6 43.Rf1-h1+ Qg3-h3 44.Rh1xh3+ Kh6-g7 45.Qf5-f6# #7/17 ] 39...Kf5-g4 [Houdini annotates: 39...Kf5-g4 40.Qd6-d7+ Re8-e6 41.Qd7xe6+ Kg4-g5 42.Qe6-f5+ Kg5-h6 43.Rf1-h1+ Qg3-h3 44.Rh1xh3+ Kh6-g7 45.Qf5-f6# #6/21 ] 40.Qd6-d7+ Diagram [ 40.Qd6-d7+ Re8-e6 41.Qd7xe6+ Kg4-g5 42.Qe6xg8+ Kg5-h5 43.Qg8xg3 e4-e3 44.Rf1-h1# ;Houdini annotates: 40.Qd6-d7+ Re8-e6 41.Qd7xe6+ Kg4-g5 42.Qe6-f5+ Kg5-h6 43.Rf1-h1+ Qg3-h3 44.Rh1xh3+ Kh6-g7 45.Qf5-f6# #6/17 ]

1-0

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+r+0{ 9+-+Q+-+p0 36 9-zp-+-+-+0 9+-+N+-+-0 9p+-+p+k+0 9zP-+-+-wq-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9mK-+-+R+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 7 Saidali Iuldachev Levon Aronian 36th Olympiad (2)

B23

17.10.2004

B30: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5, lines without ...g6 1.e2-e4 c7-c5 2.Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 Nc6-d4 4.Bb5-c4 e7-e6 5.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 6.0-0 a7-a6 7.d2-d3 b7-b5 8.Bc4-b3 Nd4xb3 9.a2xb3 Bc8-b7 10.e4-e5 b5-b4 11.e5xf6 b4xc3 12.f6xg7 Bf8xg7 13.b2xc3 Bg7xc3 14.Ra1-a4 Rh8-g8 15.Bc1-f4 Qd8-f6 16.Bf4-g3 Standard Book moves end here Bb7xf3 [Houdini annotates: 16...Bb7xf3 17.Qd1xf3 Qf6xf3 18.g2xf3 f7-f5 19.Kg1-h1 Ke8-e7 20.Rf1-g1 Bc3-d4 21.Bg3-h4+ Ke7-f7 22.Rg1xg8 Kf7xg8 23.Kh1-g2 Kg8-f7 24.f3-f4 h7-h6 25.Kg2-f3 a6-a5 26.Kf3-e2 Bd4-h8 27.Ke2-e3 -0.15/18 ] 17.g2xf3 [ 17.Qd1xf3!? should be examined more closely Qf6xf3 18.g2xf3³ ;Houdini annotates:

66 17.Qd1xf3 Qf6xf3 18.g2xf3 f7-f5 19.Kg1-h1 Ke8-e7 20.Rf1-g1 Bc3-d4 21.Bg3-h4+ Ke7-f7 22.Rg1xg8 Kf7xg8

67

Levon Aronian's Best Games 23.Kh1-g2 Kg8-f7 24.f3-f4 h7-h6 25.Kg2-f3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+p+k+-0 9p+-+p+-zp0 9+-zp-+p+-0 9R+-vl-zP-vL0 9+P+P+K+-0 9-+P+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

37

a6-a5 26.Kf3-e2 d7-d6 27.Ke2-f3 Kf7-g6 -0.22/18 ] 17...h7-h5µ [ Houdini annotates: 17...Bc3-d4 18.Kg1-h1 h7-h5 19.h2-h4 Rg8-g6 20.Rf1-g1 Qf6-f5 21.Kh1-h2 a6-a5 22.Qd1-e2 d7-d5 23.Rg1-g2 Ra8-a6 24.Qe2-d2 Qf5-f6 25.Qd2-f4 e6-e5 26.Qf4xf6 Ra6xf6 27.Ra4xa5 -0.40/18 ] 18.Kg1-h1 [Houdini annotates: 18.h2-h4 Bc3-d4 19.Kg1-h2 a6-a5 20.Qd1-e2 d7-d5 21.Rf1-g1 Rg8-g6 22.Rg1-g2 Ke8-e7 23.c2-c4 Ke7-f8 24.Ra4-a3 Qf6-f5 25.Kh2-g1 d5xc4 26.d3xc4 Diagram (Diagram 38) Ra8-d8 27.Ra3xa5 Qf5-b1+ 28.Kg1-h2 Qb1xb3 -0.42/18 ] 18...Bc3-d4 [Houdini annotates: 18...Bc3-d4 19.h2-h4 Rg8-g6 20.Rf1-g1 Qf6-f5 21.Kh1-h2 a6-a5 22.Qd1-e2 d7-d5 23.Rg1-g2 Ra8-a6 24.Qe2-d2 Qf5-f6 25.Qd2-d1 Rg6-g7

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-+0{ 9+-+-+p+-0 38 26.Qd1-d2 Ke8-e7 27.Qd2-f4 e6-e5 28.Qf4xf6+ Ke7xf6 29.Rg2-g1 Kf6-f5 30.Kh2-g2 Rg7-g8 -0.39/18 ] 19.h2-h4 [ 19.Rf1-g1 Rg8-g6µ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9-+-+p+r+0 9-+-+p+r+0 9zp-zp-+q+p0 9-+Pvl-+-zP0 9tRP+-+PvL-0 9-+-+QzPR+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy x64: 19.Rf1-g1 Rg8-g6 20.h2-h4 Qf6-f5 21.Kh1-h2 a6-a5 22.Qd1-e2 d7-d5 23.Rg1-g2 Ra8-a6 24.Qe2d2 Qf5-f6 25.Qd2-d1 Ke8-f8 26.c2-c4 Bd4-e5 27.Kh2-g1 -0.46/17 ] 19...Ke8-e7 [ 19...Qf6-f5 20.Kh1-h2µ ; Houdini annotates: 19...a6-a5 20.Qd1-e2 Rg8-g7 21.Rf1-e1 d7-d5 22.c2-c4 Qf6-f5 23.Kh1-h2 Ra8-a6 24.c4xd5 Qf5xd5 25.Ra4-a3 f7-f6 26.Qe2-e4 Ke8-f7 27.Qe4xd5 e6xd5 28.Kh2-g2 Bd4-e5 -0.39/16 ] 20.Qd1-e2 [Houdini annotates: 20.Rf1-g1 Rg8-g6 21.Kh1-h2 a6-a5 22.Rg1-g2 Ra8-g8 23.Qd1-e2 Bd4-c3 24.Qe2-e3 d7-d6 25.Kh2-h1 Bc3-d4 26.Qe3-e4 d6-d5 27.Qe4-e2 Rg8-a8 28.Kh1-g1 Qf6-f5 29.Kg1-h1 Rg6-g7 30.c2-c4 d5xc4 31.d3xc4 Qf5-b1+ 32.Rg2-g1 Qb1xb3 33.Ra4-a2 Ke7-f8 34.Bg3-d6+ Kf8-g8 -0.41/17 ] 20...Rg8-g6 [Houdini annotates: 20...a6-a5 21.Kh1-h2 Rg8-g6 22.Rf1-g1 d7-d6 23.Ra4-a2 Rg6-g8 24.Ra2-a4 d6-d5 25.Rg1-g2 Qf6-f5 26.Rg2-g1 Bd4-c3 27.Ra4-f4 Qf5-g6 28.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 29.f3-f4 f7-f6 30.f4xe5 Bc3xe5 31.c2-c3 -0.39/17 ] 21.Rf1-g1 [Houdini annotates: 21.b3-b4 c5xb4 22.Ra4xb4 a6-a5

68

Levon Aronian's Best Games 23.Rb4-a4 Qf6-f5 24.Kh1-h2 Qf5-d5 25.Qe2-e4 Qd5xe4 26.f3xe4 e6-e5 27.Rf1-b1 f7-f6 28.Rb1-b7 Rg6-g8 29.Kh2-g2 Ra8-c8 30.c2-c4 -0.31/16 ] 21...Ra8-g8 Diagram [ ¹21...d7-d6!?µ ; Houdini annotates: 21...a6-a5 22.Kh1-h2 d7-d6 23.Ra4-a2 Rg6-g8 24.Qe2-e4 d6-d5 25.Qe4-e2 Qf6-f5 26.Ra2-a4 Bd4-c3 27.Ra4-f4 Qf5-g6 28.Rf4-a4 e6-e5 29.f3-f4 f7-f6 30.f4xe5 Bc3xe5 31.c2-c3 -0.39/16 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0 9+-+pmkp+-0 39 9p+-+pwqr+0 9+-zp-+-+p0 9R+-vl-+-zP0 9+P+P+PvL-0 9-+P+QzP-+0 9+-+-+-tRK0[ xiiiiiiiiy 22.Ra4xa6= [Houdini annotates: 22.Ra4xa6 Bd4-e5 23.Qe2-e3 Qf6-f5 24.Kh1-h2 Be5-f4 25.Qe3-e4 Qf5-f6 26.Kh2-h3 d7-d5 27.Ra6-a7+ Ke7-f8 28.Ra7-a8+ Kf8-g7 29.Ra8xg8+ Kg7xg8 30.Qe4-a4 Bf4xg3 31.Qa4-e8+ Kg8-h7 32.Rg1xg3 Rg6xg3+ 33.Kh3xg3 Kh7-g7 34.Qe8-b8 Qf6-c3 35.Qb8-d8 Qc3xc2 36.Qd8-g5+ Kg7-f8 37.Qg5-d8+ Kf8-g7 38.Qd8-g5+ -0.08/17 ] 22...Ke7-f8 Black king safety improved [ Houdini annotates: 22...Bd4-e5 23.Qe2-e3 Qf6-f5 24.Qe3xc5+ d7-d6 25.Ra6-a7+ Ke7-f8 26.Ra7-a8+ Kf8-g7 27.Ra8xg8+ Kg7xg8

69 28.Qc5-c8+ Kg8-h7 29.Kh1-g2 Qf5-f4 30.Qc8-b7 d6-d5 31.Qb7-a7 Rg6-g7 32.Rg1-e1 Be5-d4 33.Qa7-a4 Qf4-d2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Re1-f1 Bd4-e5 35.Kg2-h3 Qd2-e2 34.Re1-f1 Bd4-e5 35.Kg2-h3 Qd2-e2 0.06/16 ] 23.Ra6-a4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Bg3-d6+ Kf8-g7 24.Rg1xg6+ Qf6xg6 25.Bd6-g3 Qg6f5 26.Kh1-g2 d7-d5 27.Ra6-c6 Kg7h7 28.Kg2-h2 Qf5-f6 29.c2-c4 Qf6-f5 30.c4xd5 Qf5xd5 31.Qe2-e4+ Kh7-g7 32.Rc6-c7 0.08/15 ] 23...Kf8-g7 [ Houdini annotates: 23...Kf8-e7 24.Ra4-a6 0.08/16 ] 24.b3-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 24.b3-b4 c5xb4 25.Ra4xb4 e6-e5 26.Kh1-h2 d7-d6 27.Rb4-c4 d6-d5 28.Rc4-c7 Qf6-d6 29.Rc7-b7 Rg8-b8 30.Rg1-b1 Rb8xb7 31.Rb1xb7 Qd6-e6 32.Rb7-b5 Kg7-f8 33.c2-c4 d5xc4 34.d3xc4 f7-f6 35.Rb5-b8+ Kf8-g7 36.Rb8b7+ Kg7-h6 0.01/16 ] 24...c5xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 24...c5xb4 25.Ra4xb4 Kg7-h7 26.Qe2-e4 Bd4-c3 27.Rb4-a4 d7-d5 28.Qe4-f4 Qf6xf4 29.Ra4xf4 f7-f5 30.Rf4-a4 Rg8-g7 31.f3-f4 Bc3-f6 32.Ra4-a6 Bf6xh4 33.Kh1-h2 d5-d4 34.Ra6-d6 Bh4xg3+ 35.f2xg3 0.06/15 ] 25.Ra4xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Ra4xb4 Kg7-h7 26.Qe2-e4 Bd4-c3 27.Rb4a4 d7-d5 28.Qe4-f4 Qf6xf4 29.Ra4xf4 f7-f5 30.Rf4-a4 Rg8-g7 31.Kh1-h2 e6-e5 32.f3-f4 e5-e4 33.d3xe4 d5xe4 34.Ra4-c4 Bc3-b2 0.01/16 ] 25...Kg7-h7 [Houdini annotates: 25...d7-d6 26.Qe2-e4 e6-e5 27.f3-f4 Kg7-h8 28.Rb4-b5 Qf6-g7 29.Qe4-g2 Rg6-g4 30.f4xe5 d6xe5 31.Rb5-b7 Qg7-f6 32.Rg1-b1 Kh8-g7 33.Rb1-g1 Rg8-c8 34.c2-c4 0.18/15 ] 26.Rg1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Qe2-e4 Bd4-c3 27.Rb4-a4 d7-d5 28.Qe4-f4 Qf6xf4 29.Ra4xf4 f7-f5 30.Rf4-a4

70 Rg8-g7 31.Kh1-h2 e6-e5 32.f3-f4 e5-e4 33.Ra4-a8 Rg7-b7 34.Ra8-f8 e4xd3 35.c2xd3 0.03/16 ] 26...Qf6-g7 [ Houdini annotates: 26...d7-d5 27.f3-f4 Rg6-g4 28.Rb4-b1 Rg8-a8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.Qe2-f3 Qf6-f5 30.Kh1-g1 Kh7-g7 31.Qf3-e2 Ra8-a2 32.Qe2-d2 Rg4-g6 33.Rb1-b4 Bd4-b2 34.Qd2-e1 Bb2-f6 -0.20/15 ] 27.Rb4-b5 [Houdini annotates : 27.Rb4-b7 f7-f5 28.f3-f4 Rg6-g4 29.Qe2-f3 Rg8-c8 30.c2-c4 Rc8-a8 31.Rg2-g1 Ra8-a2 32.Rg1-b1 Qg7-e7 33.Rb7-c7 Kh7-g6 34.Rb1-g1 Kg6-f7 35.Qf3-b7 0.00/14 ] 27...f7-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 27...f7-f5 28.c2-c4 Bd4-f6 29.Qe2-e1 Rg8-a8 30.Rb5-b1 Bf6xh4 31.Bg3-e5 Bh4-f6 32.Rg2xg6 Kh7xg6 33.Qe1-e2 Kg6-f7 34.Rb1-g1 Qg7-h8 35.f3-f4 Bf6xe5 36.f4xe5 h5-h4 37.Kh1-h2 Kf7-e7 38.d3-d4 -0.10/17 ] 28.Rg2-g1? [ ¹28.Qe2-d2!?= Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+p+-wqk0 40 9-+-+p+r+0 9+R+-+p+p0 9-+-vl-+-zP0 9+-+P+PvL-0 9-+PwQ-zPR+0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy and White can hope to survive ; Houdini annotates: 28.c2-c4 Bd4-f6 29.Qe2-e1 Bf6xh4 30.Rg2-h2 Bh4xg3 31.f2xg3 Rg8-a8 32.g3-g4 Ra8-a1 33.Rb5-b1 Ra1xb1 34.Qe1xb1 f5xg4 35.Rh2xh5+ Kh7-g8 36.Qb1-b8+ Kg8-f7 37.Qb8-a7 Kf7-e8 38.Qa7-a8+ Ke8-e7 39.f3xg4 Rg6xg4 40.Qa8-a3+ Ke7-e8 41.Qa3-a8+ Ke8-f7 42.Qa8-a7

71 Kf7-e7 43.Qa7-c5+ Ke7-d8 44.Qc5-b6+ Kd8-e8 45.Qb6-b8+ Ke8-e7 46.Qb8-b4+ Ke7-e8 -0.17/15 ] 28...e6-e5µ [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 28...e6-e5 29.Rb5-b1 Qg7-f6 28...e6-e5 29.Rb5-b1 Qg7-f6 30.Bg3-h2 Qf6xh4 31.Rg1xg6 Rg8xg6 32.Rb1-g1 Rg6xg1+ 33.Kh1xg1 Qh4-g5+ 34.Kg1-f1 Qg5-c1+ 35.Kf1-g2 f5-f4 36.Kg2-h3 Kh7-g7 37.Kh3-h4 Qc1-h1 38.Kh4-h3 Kg7-f6 39.c2-c4 Kf6-e7 -0.71/17 ] 29.f3-f4? [ ¹29.c2-c3 Bd4xc3 30.f3-f4µ ; Houdini annotates: 29.Rb5-b1 Qg7-f6 30.Bg3-h2 Qf6xh4 31.Rg1xg6 Rg8xg6 32.Rb1-g1 Rg6xg1+ 33.Kh1xg1 Qh4-g5+ 34.Kg1-f1 Qg5-c1+ 35.Kf1-g2 f5-f4 36.Kg2-h3 Kh7-g7 37.Kh3-h4 Qc1-h1 38.Kh4-h3 Kg7-f6 39.c2-c4 Kf6-e7 -0.68/15 ] 29...Rg6-g4-+ [Houdini annotates: 29...Rg6-g4 30.Rg1-g2 e5xf4 31.Rb5xf5 Rg4xh4+ 32.Rg2-h2 Rh4xh2+ 33.Kh1xh2 f4xg3+ 34.Kh2-h3 Qg7-g4+ 35.Qe2xg4 h5xg4+ 36.Kh3xg3 Rg8-g7 37.Rf5-h5+ Kh7-g8 38.Rh5-d5 Bd4-c3 39.Rd5-c5 Bc3-b4 40.Rc5-d5 Kg8-f8 41.Rd5-d4 Bb4-c5 42.Rd4xg4 Bc5xf2+ 43.Kg3-f3 Rg7xg4 44.Kf3xg4 Bf2-d4 -1.73/13 ] 30.f4xe5 [ 30.Qe2-e1 Qg7-f6 31.Rb5xe5 Bd4xe5 32.f4xe5 Qf6xh4+ 33.Kh1-g2-+ ;Houdini 2.0c : 30.Rg1-g2 e5xf4 31.Rb5xf5 Rg4xh4+ 32.Rg2-h2 Rh4xh2+ 33.Kh1xh2 f4xg3+ 34.Kh2-h3 Qg7-g4+ 35.Qe2xg4 h5xg4+ 36.Kh3xg3 Rg8-g7 37.Rf5-h5+ Kh7-g8 38.Rh5-d5 Bd4-c3 39.Rd5-c5 Bc3-b4 40.Rc5-d5 Kg8-f8 41.Rd5-d4 Bb4-c5 42.Rd4xg4 Bc5xf2+ 43.Kg3-f3 Rg7xg4 44.Kf3xg4 Bf2-d4 -2.01/14 ] 30...f5-f4 [Houdini annotates: 30...f5-f4 31.Qe2-e4+ Kh7-h8 32.Qe4xd4 f4xg3 33.Qd4xg4 Qg7xg4 34.Rg1xg3 Qg4-d1+ 35.Kh1-g2 Qd1xc2 36.Rg3xg8+ Kh8xg8

72 37.Rb5-b8+ Kg8-g7 38.Rb8-b6 Qc2xd3 39.Rb6-d6 Qd3-e4+ 40.Kg2-f1 Qe4xe5 41.Rd6xd7+

73

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg7-h6 42.Rd7-d3 Qe5-f4 43.Kf1-e2 Qf4xh4 44.Rd3-d6+ Kh6-g7 45.Rd6-d7+ Kg7-g6 46.Rd7-d6+ Kg6-f5 47.Rd6-d5+ Kf5-e4 -5.27/13 ] 31.e5-e6 Diagram [ 31.Qe2-e1 f4xg3 32.f2xg3 Bd4xg1 33.e5-e6-+ ; Houdini annotates: 31.Qe2-e4+ Kh7-h8 32.Qe4xd4 f4xg3 33.Qd4xg4 Qg7xg4 34.Rg1xg3 Qg4-d1+ 35.Kh1-g2 Qd1xc2 36.Rg3xg8+ Kh8xg8 37.Rb5-b8+ Kg8-g7 38.Rb8-b6 Qc2xd3 39.Rb6-d6 Qd3-e4+ 40.Kg2-f1 Qe4xe5 41.Rd6xd7+ Kg7-h6 42.Rd7-d3 Qe5-f4 43.Kf1-e2 Qf4xh4 44.Rd3-d6+ Kh6-g7 45.Rd6-d7+ Kg7-g6 46.Rd7-d6+ Kg6-f5 47.Rd6-d5+ Kf5-e4 -5.55/14 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+p+-wqk0 41 9-+-+P+-+0 9+R+-+-+p0 9-+-vl-zprzP0 9+-+P+-vL-0 9-+P+QzP-+0 9+-+-+-tRK0 xiiiiiiiiy 31...Rg4xh4+!! Deflection: g3 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Rg4xh4+ 32.Kh1-g2 Qg7xg3+ 33.f2xg3 Rg8xg3+ 34.Kg2-f1 Rg3xg1# -#4/15 ] 32.Kh1-g2 [ 32.Bg3xh4 Qg7xg1# Mate attack Clearance Deflection Pinning ;Houdini annotates: 32.Kh1-g2 Qg7xg3+ 33.f2xg3 Rg8xg3+ 34.Kg2-f1 Rg3xg1# -#3/16 ]

32...Qg7xg3+!! Diagram [ 32...Qg7xg3+ 33.f2xg3 Rg8xg3+ 34.Kg2-f1 Rg3xg1# ; 32...f4xg3?!

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.Rb5xh5+ Rh4xh5 34.Qe2xh5+ Qg7-h6 35.Qh5xh6+ Kh7xh6 33.Rb5xh5+ Rh4xh5 34.Qe2xh5+ Qg7-h6 35.Qh5xh6+ Kh7xh6 36.Rg1-h1+ Kh6-g5 37.f2-f4+ ( ‹37.e6xd7 Bd4xf2 38.Rh1-h7 Rg8-d8-+ ) 37...Kg5-f5 38.e6xd7³ ; Houdini annotates: 32...Qg7xg3+ 33.f2xg3 Rg8xg3+ 34.Kg2-f1 Rg3xg1# -#3/13 ]

XIIIIIIII Y 9-+-++r+0 9+-+p+-+k0 42 9-+-+P++0 9+R+-++p0 9-+-vl-zptr0 9+-+P+-wq0 9+P+QzPK+0 9+-+-+-tR-0[ xiiiiiiii y Mate attack 0-1

8 D15

74 Levon Aronian Valerij Popov Aeroflot Open 2005 (4)

18.02.2005

D15: Slav Defence: 4 Nc3 a6 and gambit lines after 4 Nc3 dxc4 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.e2-e3 a7-a6 5.Ng1-f3 b7-b5 6.c4-c5 g7-g6 7.Qd1-b3 a6-a5 8.Nf3-e5 Bf8-g7 9.Nc3xb5 c6xb5 10.Bf1xb5+ Ke8-f8 11.0-0 Bc8-a6 12.a2-a4 Nf6-e4 13.Ne5-d3 Ba6-b7 14.f2-f3 Ne4-f6 15.Nd3-e5 Standard Book moves end here Qd8-c7 [ 15...Qd8-c8 16.e3-e4³ ;Houdini annotates: 15...Nb8-a6 16.Bc1-d2 Bg7-h6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 17.g2-g4 Rh8-g8 18.h2-h4 g6-g5 19.h4-h5 Na6-c7 20.Bb5-d3 Bb7-c8 21.Qb3-b6 Bc8-a6 22.Bd2xa5 Ba6xd3 23.Ne5xd3 Ra8-c8 24.Qb6-b7 -0.14/15 ] 16.Bc1-d2 [Houdini annotates : 16.e3-e4 Nb8-c6 17.Ne5xc6 Bb7xc6 18.e4-e5 Nf6-d7 19.Bc1-d2 Ra8-b8 20.Rf1-f2 h7-h5 21.Qb3-d3 Bg7xe5 22.d4xe5 Nd7xc5 23.Qd3-c3 Bc6xb5 24.a4xb5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-mk-tr0{ 9+-wq-zpp+-0 43 9-+-+-+p+0 9zpPsnpzP-+p0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-wQ-+P+-0 9-zP-vL-tRPzP0 9tR-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Rb8xb5 25.e5-e6 Rh8-g8 26.Bd2-h6+ Kf8-e8 -0.09/16 ] 16...h7-h5 [ ¹16...Nf6-h5!?³ has some apparent merit ;Houdini annotates: 16...Nf6-h5 17.e3-e4 Bg7xe5 18.d4xe5 d5-d4 19.e5-e6 f7-f6 20.Bd2-h6+ Nh5-g7 21.Ra1-d1 Nb8-c6 22.Bb5xc6 Bb7xc6 23.Rd1xd4 Ra8-b8 24.Qb3-a2 Bc6-e8 25.Rf1-d1 g6-g5 26.Qa2-a3 Rh8-g8 27.Bh6xg7+ Kf8xg7 -0.22/15 ] 17.c5-c6² Is this a dangerous pawn? [ Houdini annotates: 17.e3-e4 Nb8-c6 18.Ne5xc6 Bb7xc6 19.e4-e5 Nf6-d7 20.Bb5xc6 Qc7xc6 Diagram (Diagram 44)

75

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-tr0 9+-+nzppvl-0 44 9-+q+-+p+0 9zp-zPpzP-+p0 9P+-zP-+-+0 9+Q+-+P+-0 9-zP-vL-+PzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ 21.Qb3-b5 Nd7-b8 22.Bd2xa5 Qc6-e6 23.Ba5-c3 Nb8-c6 24.a4-a5 Bg7-h6 25.f3-f4 Kf8-g7 26.a5-a6

Levon Aronian's Best Games

xiiiiiiiiy xiiiiiiiiy Rh8-b8 27.Qb5-d3 h5-h4 28.Rf1-f2 Kg7-g8 29.Ra1-e1 -0.13/16 ] 17...Bb7-c8 [ 17...Nb8xc6? fails because of 18.Ra1-c1+- ; Houdini annotates: 17...Bb7-c8 18.Ra1-c1 Bg7-h6 19.Ne5-d7+ Kf8-g7 20.Nd7xf6 e7xf6 21.Qb3xd5 Rh8-d8 22.Qd5-c5 Bc8-e6 23.Qc5-c3 Be6-d5 24.Bd2-e1 Nb8xc6 25.Be1-g3 Qc7-a7 26.Bb5xc6 Bd5xc6 27.Qc3xc6 Bh6xe3+ 28.Bg3-f2 Qa7xd4 29.Bf2xe3 Qd4xe3+ 30.Rf1-f2 -0.11/16 ] 18.e3-e4 White threatens to win material: e4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 18.Ra1-c1 Bg7-h6 19.Ne5-d7+ Kf8-g7 20.Nd7xf6 e7xf6 21.Qb3xd5 Rh8-d8 22.Qd5-c5 Bc8-e6 23.Qc5-c3 Be6-d5 24.Bd2-e1 Nb8xc6 25.Bb5xc6 Bd5xc6 26.Qc3xc6 Bh6xe3+ 27.Be1-f2 Qc7xc6 28.Rc1xc6 Be3xd4 29.Bf2xd4 Rd8xd4 -0.02/14 ] 18...Qc7-b6 Black threatens to win material: Qb6xd4 [Houdini annotates: 18...Nb8-a6 19.e4xd5 Qc7-d6 20.Bd2xa5 Nf6xd5 21.Qb3-c4 h5-h4 22.Rf1-e1 Rh8-h5 23.Re1-e2 e7-e6 24.Ba5-d2 Na6-b4 25.c6-c7 Kf8-g8 26.Ra1-e1 h4-h3 27.Qc4-c5 -0.12/14 ] 19.Bd2-e3 [ 19.Qb3-d3 Nb8-a6² ; Houdini annotates: 19.Kg1-h1

76

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bg7-h6 20.Bd2xh6+ Rh8xh6 21.e4xd5 Rh6-h7 22.Rf1-e1 Nb8-a6 23.Ra1-c1 Qb6xd4 24.Ne5-d7+ Kf8-g7 25.Bb5xa6 Bc8xa6 26.Rc1-d1 Ba6-c4 27.Qb3-b7 Qd4-a7 28.Nd7xf6 e7xf6 29.d5-d6 Qa7xb7 30.c6xb7 0.39/13 ] 19...Bc8-e6² [Houdini annotates: 19...Bc8-e6 20.Rf1-e1 Kf8-g8 21.Qb3-a3 Qb6-c7 22.Be3-f4 Bg7-h6 23.Qa3-e3 Bh6xf4 24.Qe3xf4 Qc7-b6 25.Ra1-d1 h5-h4 26.Re1-e2 d5xe4 27.f3xe4 Nb8-a6 -0.23/13 ] 20.Ra1-c1 [ 20.Rf1-d1 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+-mk-tr0{ 9+-+-zppvl-0 45 9-wqP+lsnp+0 9zpL+psN-+p0 9P+-zPP+-+0 9+Q+-vLP+-0 9-zP-+-+PzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy h5-h4= ( 20...d5xe4 as before the pawn must be left alone, otherwise Black will be punished 21.d4-d5 Qb6-c7 22.d5xe6+- );Houdini annotates: 20.Rf1-d1 h5-h4 21.Ra1c1 Ra8-a7 22.Rc1-c5 Nb8-a6 23.e4xd5 Be6-f5 24.Rc5-c1 Na6-b4 25.Bb5-c4 h4-h3 -0.03/12 ] 20...Nb8-a6 [ 20...d5xe4?? the pawn contains a lethal dose of poison 21.d4-d5 Be6xd5 22.Be3xb6 Bd5xb3 23.c6-c7+- ; Houdini annotates: 20...Nb8-a6 21.e4xd5 Be6xd5 22.Ne5-d7+ Nf6xd7

77 23.Qb3xd5 Nd7-f6 24.Qd5-b3 Nf6-e8 25.Rf1-d1 Ne8-d6 26.d4-d5 Qb6-c7 27.Bb5xa6 Ra8xa6 28.Rd1-e1 Kf8-g8 29.Be3-f2 Kg8-h7 30.Qb3-d3 Ra6-a8

Levon Aronian's Best Games -0.49/15 ] 21.f3-f4 [ 21.e4xd5!? Be6xd5 22.Qb3xd5 Nf6xd5 -0.49/15 ] 21.f3-f4 [ 21.e4xd5!? Be6xd5 22.Qb3xd5 Nf6xd5 23.Ne5-d7+ Kf8-g8 24.Nd7xb6 Nd5xb6 25.Bb5xa6 Ra8xa6 26.c6-c7³ ;Houdini annotates: 21.e4xd5 Be6xd5 22.Qb3-a3 Na6c7 23.Rc1-c5 Ra8-d8 24.Bb5-e2 h5h4 25.Be3-d2 Rd8-a8 26.Ne5-c4 Bd5xc4 27.Be2xc4 h4-h3 28.g2-g3 Nf6d5 29.Qa3-d3 -0.44/13 ] 21...Na6c7³ [ 21...d5xe4 22.d4-d5 Be6xd5 23.Be3xb6 Bd5xb3 24.Bb5xa6+; Houdini annotates: 21...Ra8-d8 22.f4-f5 g6xf5 23.e4xf5 Be6c8 24.c6-c7 Rd8-d6 25.Rc1-c5 h5h4 26.Qb3-d3 Na6-b4 27.Qd3-e2 Rh8g8 28.Kg1-h1 h4-h3 29.Rf1-g1 Nf6e4 30.Rc5-c1 Bg7-f6 31.Be3-h6+ Bf6g7 -0.59/14 ] 22.f4-f5 White threatens to win material: f5xe6 [Houdini annotates: 22.f4-f5 g6xf5 23.e4xf5 Be6-c8 24.Rc1-c5 Rh8-g8 25.Rf1-f4 Ra8a7 26.Qb3-d3 Bg7-h8 27.Be3-d2 Nc7a6 28.Rc5-c1 Na6-b4 29.Bd2xb4

78 a5xb4 30.Qd3-b3 Qb6-a5 -0.62/14 ] 22...Be6-c8?? forfeits the advantage [ 22...g6xf5 23.e4xf5 Be6-c8 24.Qb3-d3³ ;Houdini annotates: 22...g6xf5 23.e4xf5 Be6-c8 24.Rc1-c5 Rh8-g8 25.Rf1-c1 Bc8xf5 26.Ne5-d7+ Nf6xd7 27.c6xd7 Bf5xd7 28.Rc5xc7 Bg7xd4 29.Be3xd4 Qb6xd4+ 30.Kg1-h1 Qd4-e4 31.Qb3-c2 Qe4xc2 32.Rc1xc2 Bd7-f5 33.Rc2-e2 Bf5-e4 34.Re2-f2 f7-f6 35.Kh1-g1 Kf8-f7 -0.70/10 ] 23.Rc1-c5 [ ¹23.f5xg6 and White can already relax Bc8-e6 24.g6xf7 d5xe4 25.Ne5-g6+ Kf8xf7 26.d4-d5 Be6xd5 27.Ng6xh8+ Bg7xh8 28.Be3xb6 Bd5xb3 29.Bb6xc7+- ; Houdini annotates: 23.f5xg6 Nf6-g4 24.Rf1xf7+ Kf8-g8 25.Rf7xe7 Ng4xe3 26.Qb3xe3 Bc8-e6 27.Rc1-c5 Rh8-h6 28.Re7xc7 Qb6xc7 29.e4xd5 Be6-f5 30.Bb5-c4 Qc7-d6 31.Ne5-f7 Qd6xg6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Nf7xh6+ Bg7xh6 33.d5-d6+ Kg8-h7 34.Qe3-e7+ Bh6-g7 4.08/11 ] 23...Bc8-a6?? makes life more difficult [ ¹23...g6xf5 this is the best way to fight back 24.e4xf5 Kf8-g8= ; Houdini annotates: 23...g6xf5 24.e4xd5 Nf6-e4 25.Ne5-d7+ Bc8xd7 26.c6xd7 Bg7-f6 27.Rc5-c6 Qb6-a7 28.Bb5-d3 Ne4-d6 29.Rc6xd6 e7xd6 30.Qb3-c4 f5-f4 31.Rf1xf4 Bf6-g5 32.Rf4-e4 Bg5xe3+ 33.Re4xe3 Rh8-h6 34.Bd3-b1 Rh6-f6 -0.33/14 ] 24.Be3-g5 [ ¹24.f5xg6 and White has reached his goal Ra8-d8 25.e4xd5+- ; Houdini annotates: 24.f5xg6 Ba6-c8 25.g6xf7 Bc8-e6 26.e4xd5 Be6-g4 27.h2-h3 Bg4-c8 28.d5-d6 Bc8-e6 29.d6xe7+ Kf8xe7 30.Qb3-a3 Be6xf7 31.Rc5-d5+ Ke7-e8 32.Rd5-d7 5.68/11 ] 24...Ba6-c8 [Houdini annotates : 24...Ba6-c8 25.f5xg6 Nc7-e6 26.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6 27.Qb3xd5 Kf8-g7 28.Rf1xf6 e7xf6 29.Ne5xf7 Ne6-c7 30.Qd5-d6 Rh8-e8 31.Qd6-f4 Kg7xg6 32.Nf7-d6 Bc8-e6 33.Nd6xe8 Ra8xe8 34.Bb5-e2 Kg6-g7 35.Be2xh5 Be6-f7 36.e4-e5 Bf7xh5 37.e5xf6+ Kg7-f7 38.Rc5xh5 Qb6xc6 39.Rh5xa5 3.09/12 ] 25.Kg1-h1?? allows the opponent back into the game [ 25.f5xg6 Nc7-e6 26.Bg5-e3+- ;Houdini annotates: 25.f5xg6 Nc7-e6 26.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6 27.Qb3xd5 Kf8-g7 28.Rf1xf6 e7xf6 29.Ne5xf7 Diagram (Diagram 46) Ne6-c7 30.Qd5-d6 Rh8-e8 31.Qd6-f4 Kg7xg6 32.Nf7-d6 Bc8-e6 33.Qf4-h4 Kg6-g7 34.Nd6xe8+ Ra8xe8 35.e4-e5 Re8-f8 36.e5xf6+ Rf8xf6 37.Qh4xh5

79 Nc7xb5 38.a4xb5 Qb6-c7 39.Rc5-g5+ Kg7-f8 2.65/13 ] 25...Nf6xe4 'the knight is the knight!' [ 25...g6xf5 26.e4xd5 Nf6-e4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c Pro

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-+-tr0{ 9+-+-+Nmk-0 46 9-wqP+nzpP+0 9zpLtRQ+-+p0 9P+-zPP+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy x64: 25...g6xf5 26.e4xf5 Qb6-a7 27.Bg5xf6 Bg7xf6 28.Rc5xd5 Nc7xd5 29.Qb3xd5 e7-e6 30.f5xe6 Bc8xe6 31.Qd5-e4 Qa7-e7 32.Ne5-g6+ f7xg6 33.Qe4xg6 Rh8-g8 34.Rf1xf6+ Be6-f7 35.Qg6-h6+ Rg8-g7 36.Bb5-c4 Kf8-g8 37.Bc4xf7+ Rg7xf7 38.Qh6g5+ Rf7-g7 39.Qg5-d5+ Rg7-f7 40.Qd5-g5+ Rf7-g7 0.11/14 ] 26.Bg5xe7+² [Houdini annotates: 26.Bg5xe7+ Kf8xe7 27.Rc5xd5 Bg7xe5 28.Rd5xe5+ Bc8-e6 29.Re5xe4 g6xf5 30.Rf1xf5 Ke7-d8 31.Qb3-h3 Kd8-c8 32.d4-d5 Be6xf5 33.Qh3xf5+ Kc8-b8 34.d5-d6 Kb8-a7 35.Re4-e7 Ra8-c8 36.Re7-d7 Rh8-e8 37.Bb5-f1 h5-h4 38.h2-h3 Qb6xc6 39.Qf5xa5+ Ka7-b7 40.d6xc7 Re8-e4 41.b2-b4 Re4-f4 42.Bf1-b5 Qc6-c1+ 43.Kh1-h2 Rc8xc7 44.Qa5-a6+ Kb7-b8 45.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 1.37/15 ] 26...Kf8xe7 [ 26...Kf8-g8 27.Rc5xd5 ( 27.f5xg6 f7xg6 28.Ne5xg6 Bg7xd4 29.Rc5xd5 Bc8-e6± ) 27...Bc8xf5 28.Rf1xf5 g6xf5 29.Rd5-d7+- ; Houdini annotates: 26...Kf8xe7 27.Rc5xd5 Bg7xe5 28.Rd5xe5+ Bc8-e6 29.Re5xe4 g6xf5 30.Rf1xf5

80 Ke7-d8 31.Qb3-h3 Kd8-c8 32.d4-d5 Be6xf5 33.Qh3xf5+ Kc8-b8 34.d5-d6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kb8-a7 35.d6xc7 Ra8-c8 36.Qf5-f6 h5-h4 37.Qf6xf7 h4-h3 38.g2-g3 Rc8xc7 39.Re4-e7 Rc7xe7 40.Qf7xe7+ Ka7-a8 41.Qe7-d7 Ka8-b8 42.Bb5-c4 Qb6-c7 1.73/14 ] 27.Rc5xd5± [Houdini annotates: 27.Rc5xd5 Bg7xe5 28.Rd5xe5+ Bc8-e6 29.Re5xe4 g6xf5 30.Rf1xf5 Ke7-d8 31.Qb3-h3 Kd8-c8 32.d4-d5 Be6xf5 33.Qh3xf5+ Kc8-b8 34.d5-d6 Kb8-a7 35.Re4-e7 Ra8-c8 36.Qf5xf7 h5-h4 37.d6xc7 Qb6-c5 38.Re7-e1 h4-h3 39.g2-g3 Rh8-f8 1.93/11 ] 27...Nc7xd5 [ 27...Rh8-f8 28.Ne5-c4 Qb6-b8 ( ‹28...Nc7xd5 29.Nc4xb6 Nd5xb6 30.Bb5-d3+- ) 29.Qb3-a3+ Ke7-e8 30.Nc4-d6+ Ne4xd6 31.Qa3xd6 Bc8-e6 32.f5xe6 Qb8-d8 33.e6xf7+ Rf8xf7 34.Rf1-e1+ Qd8-e7 35.Re1xe7+ Ke8-f8 36.Re7xf7+ Kf8-g8 37.Qd6xc7 Bg7-h6 38.Bb5-c4 Ra8-e8 39.Rf7-f8+ Re8xf8 40.Rd5xh5+ Rf8-f7 41.Qc7xf7+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9+-+-+Q+-0 47 9-+P+-+pvl0 9zp-+-+-+R0 9P+LzP-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg8-h8 42.Rh5xh6# ;Houdini annotates: 27...Bg7xe5 28.Rd5xe5+ Bc8-e6 29.Re5xe4 g6xf5 30.Rf1xf5 Ke7-d8

81 31.Qb3-h3 Kd8-c8 32.d4-d5 Be6xf5 33.Qh3xf5+ Kc8-b8 34.d5-d6 Kb8-a7 35.Re4-e7 Ra8-c8 36.Qf5xf7 h5-h4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.d6xc7 Qb6-c5 38.Re7-e1 h4-h3 37.d6xc7 Qb6-c5 38.Re7-e1 h4-h3 39.g2-g3 Rh8-f8 2.30/12 ] 28.Qb3xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Qb3xd5 Ra8-a7 29.Qd5xe4 Bc8xf5 30.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-d8 31.Qe4-d5+ Kd8-c7 32.Ng6xh8 Bf5-e6 33.Qd5xh5 Qb6xd4 34.Nh8xf7 Kc7-b6 35.Nf7-g5 Be6-d5 36.Ng5-f3 Bd5xf3 37.Qh5xf3 Bg7-e5 38.Rf1-d1 Qd4-f4 39.Qf3xf4 Be5xf4 40.g2-g3 Bf4-e5 41.b2-b3 Ra7-c7 42.Kh1-g2 3.79/12 ] 28...Ne4-g5?? sad, but how else could Black save the game? [ 28...Qb6-c7 29.Qd5xf7+ Ke7-d8 30.Qf7-d5+ Ne4-d6 31.f5xg6 Bc8-e6 32.Qd5xe6 Rh8-e8+- ;Houdini annotates: 28...Ra8-a7 29.Qd5xe4 Bc8xf5 30.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-d8 31.Qe4-d5+ Kd8-c7 32.Ng6xh8 Bf5-e6 33.Qd5xh5 Qb6xd4 34.Nh8xf7 Kc7-b6 35.Nf7-g5 Be6-d5 36.Ng5-f3 Bd5xf3 37.Qh5xf3 Bg7-e5 38.Rf1-d1 Qd4-f4 39.Qf3xf4 Be5xf4 40.g2-g3 Bf4-e5 41.b2-b3 Ra7-c7 42.Kh1-g2 4.06/13 ] 29.Ne5xg6++- [Houdini annotates: 29.Ne5xg6+ f7xg6 30.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 31.Re1xe6+ Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Kg8-h7 42.Qe8h5+ Bg7-h6 43.Qh5xf5+ Kh7g7 44.Qf5xa5 Kg7-g6 45.Qa5-b6+ Kg6-h7 46.Qb6-c7+ Bh6-g7 47.a4-a5 Kh7-g6 48.Qc7-c2+ Kg6-f7 49.Qc2-f5+ Kf7-e7 50.a5-a6 Ke7-e8 51.Qf5-e6+ Ke8-d8 52.Qe6g8+ Kd8-d7 53.Qg8xg7+ Kd7-

82 d6 54.Qg7-e5+ Kd6-c6 55.Qe5-c5+ Kc6-d7 56.a6-a7 19.92/16 ] 29...f7xg6 [Houdini annotates: 29...f7xg6 30.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 31.Re1xe6+ Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-h6 46.Qc7xa5 Kh8-g7 47.Qa5-c7+ Kg7-g6 48.a4-a5 Bh6-g7 49.Qc7-c2+ Kg6-f7 50.Qc2-f5+ Kf7-e7 51.a5-a6 Bg7xd4 52.Qf5-e4+ Ke7-f7 53.Qe4xd4 Kf7-e7 54.a6-a7 19.90/17 ] 30.Rf1-e1+ [Houdini annotates: 30.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 31.Re1xe6+ Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7-g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.d5-d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7 50.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-f7 51.Qe5xa5 Kf7-e6 52.g2-g4 Ke6-f6 53.Kh1-g2 Kf6-e6 54.Qa5-c5 Ke6-d7 55.Qc5-f5+ Kd7-d8 56.a4-a5 Kd8-c7 57.Qf5-d5 Kc7-b8 58.a5-a6 Kb8-c7 59.a6-a7 19.83/18 ] 30...Bc8-e6 [Houdini annotates: 30...Bc8-e6 31.Re1xe6+ Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-b4 46.d4-d5 Bb4-d2 47.Qc7-g3 Bd2-b4 48.d5-d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7 50.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-f7 51.Qe5xa5 Kf7-e6

83 52.g2-g4 Ke6-f6 53.Kh1-g2 Kf6-e6 54.Qa5-c5 Ke6-d7 55.Qc5-f5+ Kd7-d8 56.a4-a5 Kd8-c7 57.Qf5-d5 Kc7-b8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 58.a5-a6 Kb8-c7 59.a6-a7 20.09/19 ] 58.a5-a6 Kb8-c7 59.a6-a7 20.09/19 ] 31.Re1xe6+ [Houdini annotates: 31.Re1xe6+ Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.Qg3c7 Bb4-d2 49.d5-d6 Bd2-f4 50.Qc7xa5 Bf4xd6 51.Qa5-d8+ Kh8-g7 52.Qd8xd6 18.25/14 ] 31...Ke7-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Ke7-f8 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.Qg3c7 Bb4-d2 49.d5-d6 Bd2-f4 50.Qc7xa5 Bf4xd6 51.Qa5-d8+ Kh8-g7 52.Qd8xd6 18.15/15 ] 32.Qd5-d6+ [ Houdini annotates: 32.Qd5-d6+ Kf8g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-h6 46.Qc7xa5

84 Kh8-g7 47.Qa5-c7+ Kg7-g6 48.a4-a5 Bh6-g7 49.Qc7-c2+ Kg6-f7 50.Qc2-f5+ Kf7-e7 51.a5-a6 Ke7-e8 52.Qf5-e6+ Ke8-d8 53.Qe6-g8+ Kd8-d7 54.Qg8xg7+ Kd7-d6 55.Qg7-e5+ Kd6-c6 56.Qe5-c5+ Kc6-d7 57.a6-a7 19.32/16 ] 32...Kf8-g8 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32...Kf8-g8 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-h6 46.Qc7xa5 Kh8-g7 47.Qa5-c7+ Kg7-g6 48.a4-a5 Bh6-g7 49.Qc7-c2+ Kg6-f7 50.Qc2-f5+ Kf7-e7 51.a5-a6 Bg7xd4 52.Qf5-e4+ Ke7-f7 53.Qe4xd4 Kf7-e7 54.Qd4-e5+ Ke7-d7 55.Qe5-d4+ Kd7-c7 56.h2-h4 Kc7-c6 57.g2-g4 Kc6-c7 58.Kh1-g2 19.28/17 ] 33.Bb5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 33.Bb5-c4 Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7-g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.d5-d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7 50.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-f7 51.Qe5xa5 Kf7-e6 52.g2-g4 Ke6-f7 53.Kh1-g2 Kf7-e6 54.Qa5-c5 Ke6-d7 55.Qc5-f5+ Kd7-d8 56.a4-a5 Kd8-c7 57.Qf5-d5 Kc7-b8 58.a5-a6 Kb8-c7 59.a6-a7 19.47/18 ] 33...Kg8-h7 [ 33...Ng5xe6?? has the one big disadvantage in 2 34.Qd6xe6+ Kg8-h7 35.Qe6xg6# ; Houdini annotates: 33...Kg8-h7 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7-g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.d5-d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7

85 50.Qd6-e5+ Kg7-f7 51.Qe5xa5 Kf7-e6 52.g2-g4 Ke6-f7 53.Kh1-g2 Kf7-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 54.Qa5-b5+ Ke8-f8 55.a4-a5 Kf8-e7 54.Qa5-b5+ Ke8-f8 55.a4-a5 Kf8-e7 56.Qb5-f5 Ke7-d6 57.a5-a6 Kd6-c7 58.Qf5-c5+ Kc7-b8 59.Qc5-b6+ Kb8-c8 60.Qb6-b7+ Kc8-d8 20.46/21 ] 34.Re6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 34.Re6-e7 g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.d5d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7 50.Qd6-d5 Kg7-f6 51.Qd5xa5 Kf6-e6 52.g2-g4 Ke6-d7 53.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6 54.h2-h4 Kd6-e6 55.Qa5-f5+ Ke6-d6 18.72/17 ] 34...g6xf5 [Houdini annotates: 34...g6xf5 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Kh8-g8 46.Qc7g3+ Kg8-h8 47.d4-d5 Bd2-b4 48.d5d6 Bb4xd6 49.Qg3xd6 Kh8-g7 50.Qd6-d5 Kg7-f6 51.Qd5xa5 Kf6-e6 52.g2-g4 Ke6-d7 53.Kh1-g2 Kd7-d6 54.h2-h4 Kd6-e6 55.Qa5-f5+ Ke6-d6 18.97/18 ] 35.Qd6-f6 [Houdini annotates: 35.Qd6-f6 Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-h6 46.Qc7xa5 Kh8-g7 47.Qa5-

86 e5+ Kg7-g6 48.Qe5-e6+ Kg6g5 49.h2-h4+ Kg5-h5 50.g2-g4+ Kh5xh4 51.Qe6xh6+ Kh4xg4 52.a4-a5 Kg4-f5 53.a5-a6 Kf5-e4 54.a6-a7 16.32/13 ] 35...Rh8-g8 [Houdini annotates: 35...Rh8-g8 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8

87

Levon Aronian's Best Games 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-h6 46.Qc7xa5 Kh8-g7 47.Qa5-d5 Kg7-g6 48.a4-a5 Kg6-f6 49.Qd5-e5+ Kf6-f7 50.a5-a6 Bh6-g7 51.Qe5-e4 Bg7-h6 52.Qe4-f5+ Kf7-g8 53.a6-a7 17.65/14 ] 36.Qf6xg5 Diagram [ 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6+- ;Houdini annotates: 36.Qf6xg5 Qb6xc6 37.Bc4-e6 Qc6xe6 38.Re7xe6 Rg8-e8 39.Qg5xh5+ Kh7-g8 40.Re6xe8+ Ra8xe8 41.Qh5xe8+ Bg7-f8 42.Qe8-g6+ Kg8-h8 43.Qg6xf5 Bf8-b4 44.Qf5-f7 Bb4-d2 45.Qf7-c7 Bd2-b4 46.d4-d5 Kh8-g8 47.d5-d6 Kg8-f8 48.d6-d7 Bb4-e7 49.g2-g4 Be7-f6 50.d7-d8Q+ Bf6xd8 51.Qc7xd8+ Kf8-f7 52.Qd8xa5 Kf7-f6 53.Kh1-g2 18.09/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+-tR-vlk0 48 9-wqP+-+-+0 9zp-+-+pwQp0 9P+LzP-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0

9 9

D58 D58

Levon Aronian Ruslan Ponomariov FIDE World Cup (7.3)

17.12.2005

D60: Queen's Gambit Declined: Classical: Unusual White 7th moves 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Ng1-f3 d7-d5 4.Nb1-c3 Bf8-e7 5.Bc1-g5 h7-h6 6.Bg5-h4 0-0 7.e2-e3 b7-b6 8.Bf1-d3 Nb8-d7 9.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 10.Nc3xd5 e6xd5 11.Bh4-g3 Be7-b4+ 12.Ke1-e2 c7-c5 13.a2-a3 Bb4-a5 14.b2-b4 c5xb4 15.Qd1-b3 Nd7-c5 16.d4xc5 b6xc5 17.a3xb4 c5-c4 18.Bd3-h7+ Standard Book moves end here Kg8-h8 [Houdini annotates: 18...Kg8xh7 19.Qb3-c2+ g7-g6 20.Ra1xa5 Bc8-f5 21.Qc2-c3 Bf5-d3+ 22.Ke2-e1 f7-f6 23.h2-h4 h6-h5 24.Ra5-a6 Qd8-e7 25.Ra6-c6 Kh7-g8 26.b4-b5 Qe7-b7 27.Nf3-d4 Ra8-e8 28.Rc6-c7 Qb7-b6 2.16/15 ] 19.Qb3-c3 [Houdini annotates: 19.Qb3-c3 Ba5xb4 20.Qc3xb4 Kh8xh7 21.Qb4-a5 Qd8-f6 22.Qa5xd5 Bc8-f5 23.Nf3-e5 Ra8-d8 24.Qd5xc4 Rd8-c8 25.Qc4-f4 g7-g5 26.Qf4-a4 Rf8-e8 Diagram (Diagram 49) 27.Qa4-d4 a7-a5 28.Rh1-d1 Bf5-c2 29.Rd1-d2 Rc8-d8 30.Qd4-c5 2.37/16 ] 19...Ba5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 19...Ba5xb4 20.Qc3xb4 Kh8xh7 21.Qb4-a5 a7-a6 22.Rh1-d1 Bc8-b7 23.Qa5xd8 Ra8xd8 24.Ke2-d2 Rf8-e8 25.Nf3-d4 g7-g6 26.Kd2-c3 Rd8-d7 27.Rd1-b1 Kh7-g7 28.Rb1-b6 Rd7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.Bg3-e5+ Re7xe5 30.Rb6xb7 2.64/14 ] 20.Qc3xb4 [Houdini annotates : 20.Qc3xb4 Kh8xh7 21.Qb4-a5 Qd8-f6 22.Qa5xd5 Bc8-f5 23.Nf3-e5 Ra8-d8 24.Qd5xc4 Rd8-c8

88

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+r+-+0 9zp-+-+p+k0 49 9-+-+-wq-zp0 9+-+-sNlzp-0 9Q+-+-+-+0 9+-+-zP-vL-0 9-+-+KzPPzP0 9tR-+-+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 25.Qc4-f4 Rc8-c2+ 26.Ke2-e1 g7-g5 27.Qf4-a4 Rf8-c8 28.Ra1-d1 Rc8-d8 29.e3-e4 Rd8xd1+ 30.Ke1xd1 Rc2-b2 2.47/14 ] 20...Kh8xh7 [ Houdini annotates: 20...Kh8xh7 21.Qb4-a5 a7-a6 22.Rh1-d1 Bc8-e6 23.Qa5xd8 Rf8xd8 24.Nf3-d4 Be6-g4+ 25.f2-f3 Bg4-c8 26.Rd1-b1 Rd8-d7 27.Ke2-d2 a6-a5 28.Kd2-c3 Rd7-e7 29.Bg3-f4 a5-a4 30.Ra1-a3 Re7-e8 31.g2-g4 2.56/15 ] 21.Qb4-d6 [Houdini annotates: 21.Qb4-a5 Qd8-f6 22.Rh1-d1 Bc8-f5 23.Ke2-f1 Bf5-e4 24.Nf3-d4 Rf8-e8 25.Kf1-g1 Qf6-b6 26.Qa5-c3 a7-a5 27.Ra1-a4 Kh7-g8 28.f2-f3 Be4-d3 2.35/15 ] 21...Bc8-f5 [ 21...Qd8xd6 22.Bg3xd6 Rf8-d8 23.Bd6-c5+- ;Houdini annotates: 21...Qd8xd6 22.Bg3xd6 Rf8-d8 23.Bd6-c5 Rd8-d7 24.Rh1-d1 f7-f6 25.Nf3-d4 Rd7-c7 26.Bc5-d6 Rc7-d7 27.Bd6-g3 Rd7-b7 28.Ke2-d2 Bc8-g4 29.f2-f3 Bg4-d7 30.Kd2-c3 Ra8-e8 2.07/15 ] 22.Qd6xd8 [Houdini annotates : 22.Qd6xd8 Rf8xd8 23.Nf3-d4

89 Bf5-d3+ 24.Ke2-d2 a7-a5 25.Ra1-a2 Ra8-a6 26.Rh1-a1 Rd8-d7 27.Kd2-c3 a5-a4 28.Nd4-c2 Bd3xc2 29.Kc3xc2 Rd7-a7 30.Bg3-e5 a4-a3 31.Kc2-c3 Ra7-a8 32.Ra1-b1 f7-f6 33.Be5-d4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kh7-g6 34.Rb1-b7 Ra8-e8 35.Bd4-c5 Kh7-g6 34.Rb1-b7 Ra8-e8 35.Bd4-c5 Re8-a8 36.g2-g4 2.59/19 ] 22...Rf8xd8 [Houdini annotates: 22...Rf8xd8 23.Nf3-d4 Bf5-d3+ 24.Ke2-d2 a7-a5 25.Ra1-a4 Ra8-a6 26.Rh1-a1 Rd8-d7 27.Kd2-c3 Rd7-a7 28.Nd4-b5 Ra7-b7 29.Ra4xa5 Ra6xa5 30.Ra1xa5 Bd3-f1 31.Kc3-d4 Rb7-d7 32.Nb5-c3 Bf1xg2 33.Ra5-a6 f7-f6 34.Ra6-d6 Rd7xd6 35.Bg3xd6 Kh7-g6 36.Bd6-b4 Kg6-f5 37.Nc3xd5 Bg2xd5 38.Kd4xd5 2.39/16 ] 23.Nf3-d4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Nf3-d4 Bf5-e4 24.f2f3 Be4-g6 25.Ra1-a5 Rd8-d7 26.Ke2-d2 Ra8-e8 27.Bg3-f4 Bg6-d3 28.Rh1a1 g7-g5 29.Bf4-g3 a7-a6 30.Ra5xa6 Rd7-b7 31.Ra1-a2 Kh7-g7 32.Ra6-a7 Rb7-b1 33.Nd4-c6 Kg7-f6 34.Ra7-d7 Rb1-g1 2.23/18 ] 23...Bf5-g6 Diagram [ 23...Bf5-e4 24.f2-f3 Be4-g6 25.Ra1-a5+- ;Houdini annotates: 23...Bf5-e4 24.f2-f3 Be4-g6 25.Ra1-a5 Rd8-d7 26.Rh1-a1 Rd7-b7 27.Ke2-d2 c4-c3+ 28.Kd2xc3 Ra8-c8+ 29.Kc3d2 Rb7-b2+ 30.Kd2-e1 Rb2xg2 31.Ra5xa7 Rc8-c3 32.Bg3-f4 Rg2-b2 33.Ra7-a2 Rc3-c1+ 34.Ra1xc1 Rb2xa2 35.Rc1-c5 Ra2-a1+ 36.Ke1-d2 Ra1-a2+ 37.Kd2-c3 2.14/16 ] (Diagram 50) 24.Ke2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 24.Ke2-d2 Rd8-d7 25.Ra1-a5 Bg6-e4 26.f2-f3 Be4-g6 27.Rh1-a1 Bg6-d3 28.Nd4-c6 Rd7-b7 29.Kd2-c3 Ra8-e8 30.Ra5xd5 Re8xe3 31.Rd5-e5 Re3xe5 32.Nc6xe5 Rb7-b3+

90 33.Kc3-d4 f7-f6 34.Ne5xc4 Bd3xc4 35.Kd4xc4 Rb3-b2 36.Ra1xa7 Rb2xg2 37.Kc4-d4 Kh7-g6 38.Ra7-b7 Rg2-d2+ 39.Kd4-c3 Rd2-a2 40.Kc3-d3 Ra2-a3+ 41.Kd3-e4 f6-f5+ 42.Ke4-f4 2.21/18 ] 24...a7-a5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-tr-+-+0 9zp-+-+pzpk0 50 9-+-+-+lzp0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+psN-+-+0 9+-+-zP-vL-0 9-+-+KzPPzP0 9tR-+-+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy [ Houdini annotates: 24...Rd8-d7 25.Ra1-a5 Bg6-e4 26.f2-f3 Be4-g6 27.Rh1-a1 Bg6-d3 28.Nd4-c6 Rd7-b7 29.Kd2-c3 Ra8-e8 30.Ra5xd5 Re8xe3 31.Rd5-e5 Re3xe5 32.Nc6xe5 Rb7-b3+ 33.Kc3-d4 f7-f6 34.Ne5xc4 Bd3xc4 35.Kd4xc4 Rb3-b2 36.Ra1xa7 Rb2xg2 37.Kc4-d4 Kh7-g6 38.Kd4-e3 Rg2-c2 2.29/16 ] 25.Ra1-a4 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Ra1-a3 Rd8-d7 26.Rh1-a1 Bg6-d3 27.Kd2-c3 Ra8-a6 28.f2-f3 Rd7-e7 29.Ra3xa5 Ra6xa5 30.Ra1xa5 Re7xe3 31.Bg3-f4 Re3-e1 32.Ra5xd5 g7-g5 33.Bf4-e5 Re1-c1+ 34.Kc3-d2 Rc1-a1 35.g2-g4 Ra1-a3 36.h2-h3 Ra3-a2+ 37.Kd2-c3 Ra2-a3+ 38.Kc3-b4 2.38/18 ] 25...Ra8-a6 [Houdini annotates: 25...Rd8-c8 26.Rh1-a1 Rc8-c5 27.Bg3-d6 c4-c3+ 28.Kd2-c1 Rc5-c4 29.Ra4xc4 d5xc4 30.Ra1-a3 Ra8-a6 31.Bd6-c7 a5-a4 32.Nd4-b5 c3-c2 33.Nb5-c3 Bg6-d3 34.Ra3xa4 Ra6xa4 35.Nc3xa4 Kh7-g6 36.Na4-c5 Kg6-f5 37.f2-f3 Kf5-f6 38.e3-e4 2.42/16 ] 26.Rh1-a1 [Houdini annotates: 26.Rh1-a1 Rd8-c8 27.Ra4xa5 c4-c3+

91 28.Kd2-c1 Ra6-b6 29.Ra5-b5 Rb6xb5 30.Nd4xb5 Bg6-d3 31.Nb5-d4 g7-g5 32.Ra1-a5 Rc8-c4 33.Bg3-d6 Kh7-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.f2-f3 f7-f6 35.Ra5xd5 Rc4-a4 34.f2-f3 f7-f6 35.Ra5xd5 Rc4-a4 36.Nd4-c2 Bd3-f1 37.g2-g4 Bf1-e2 38.Bd6-b4 Be2xf3 39.Rd5-d6 Bf3xg4 40.Bb4xc3 Kg6-h5 41.Rd6xf6 Ra4-a2 42.Kc1-b1 Ra2-a8 43.e3-e4 Ra8-b8+ 44.Kb1-c1 2.73/19 ] 26...Rd8-a8 [ 26...Rd8-c8 27.Nd4-e2+- ;Houdini 2. 0c : 26...Rd8-c8 27.Ra4xa5 c4-c3+ 28.Kd2-c1 Ra6-b6 29.Ra5-b5 Rb6xb5 30.Nd4xb5 Bg6-d3 31.Nb5d4 g7-g5 32.Ra1-a5 Rc8-c4 33.Bg3d6 Kh7-g6 34.f2-f3 f7-f6 35.Ra5xd5 Rc4-a4 36.Nd4-c2 Bd3-f1 37.g2-g4 Bf1-e2 38.Bd6-b4 Be2xf3 39.Rd5-d6 Bf3xg4 40.Bb4xc3 Kg6-h5 41.Rd6xf6 Ra4-a2 42.Kc1-b1 Ra2-a8 43.e3-e4 Ra8-b8+ 44.Kb1-c1 2.86/18 ] 27.Nd4-b5 [Houdini annotates: 27.Nd4-b5 Ra8-d8 28.Ra4xa5 Ra6-c6 29.Kd2-c3 Rd8-d7 30.Nb5-d4 Rc6-b6 31.Ra5-b5 Rb6xb5 32.Nd4xb5 Bg6-e4 33.f2-f3 Rd7-b7 34.f3xe4 Rb7xb5 35.e4xd5 Rb5xd5 36.Bg3-f4 g7-g5 37.e3-e4 Rd5-d7 38.Bf4-g3 Rd7-e7 39.e4-e5 Kh7-g6 40.Ra1-a6+ Re7-e6 41.Ra6xe6+ f7xe6 42.Kc3xc4 3.23/17 ] 27...Ra6-b6 [Houdini annotates: 27...Ra8-d8 28.Ra4xa5 Ra6-c6 29.Kd2-c3 Rd8-d7 30.Nb5-d4 Rc6-b6 31.Ra5-b5 Rb6xb5 32.Nd4xb5 f7-f6 33.Kc3-d4 Bg6-e4 34.f2-f3 Be4-g6 35.Nb5-c3 Bg6-f7 36.Ra1-a5 h6-h5 3.25/15 ] 28.Ra4xa5 [Houdini annotates: 28.Ra4xa5 Ra8-c8 29.Kd2-c3 Bg6-e4 30.f2-f3 Be4-d3 31.Nb5-d6 Rb6-b3+ 32.Kc3-d4 Rc8-c7 33.Nd6-e4 Rc7-c8 34.Ne4-c5 Rb3-b4 35.Nc5xd3 c4xd3+ 36.Kd4xd3 Rb4-b3+ 37.Kd3-d4 Rc8-c3 38.Ra5-a7 Rc3-d3+ 39.Kd4-c5 f7-f6 40.Bg3-f4 Rb3-c3+ 41.Kc5-b5 Rc3-c2

92 42.g2-g4 Rd3-b3+ 43.Kb5-a4 Rc2-c3 44.h2-h4 3.21/17 ] 28...c4-c3+ [ 28...Ra8xa5 doesn't change anything anymore 29.Ra1xa5 Bg6-e4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.f2-f3+- ;Houdini annotates: 28...Ra8-e8 29.Kd2-c3 Bg6-e4 30.f2-f3 Be4-g6 31.Bg3-f4 Re8-e7 32.Nb5-d4 Re7-d7 33.Ra5-c5 Bg6-d3 34.Rc5-c7 Rd7xc7 35.Bf4xc7 Rb6-b7 36.Bc7-d6 Rb7-b6 37.Bd6-c5 Rb6-b8 38.Ra1-a7 Rb8-e8 3.11/15 ] 29.Nb5xc3 [Houdini annotates: 29.Nb5xc3 Ra8xa5 30.Ra1xa5 Rb6-b2+ 31.Kd2-e1 Bg6-e4 32.f2-f3 Be4-g6 33.Ra5-a2 Rb2xa2 34.Nc3xa2 Bg6-d3 35.Na2-b4 Bd3-c4 36.Nb4-c6 f7-f6 37.Nc6-d4 g7-g6 38.Bg3-d6 Kh7-g7 39.Ke1-d2 Kg7-f7 40.Kd2-c3 3.82/18 ] 29...Rb6-b2+ [Houdini annotates : 29...Ra8xa5 30.Ra1xa5 Rb6-b2+ 31.Kd2-e1 Bg6-e4 32.f2-f3 Be4-g6 33.Ra5-a2 Rb2xa2 34.Nc3xa2 Bg6-d3 35.Na2-b4 Bd3-c4 36.Nb4-c6 f7-f6 37.Nc6-d4 g7-g6 38.Bg3-d6 Kh7-g7 39.Ke1-d2 Kg7-f7 40.Kd2-c3 4.00/17 ] 30.Kd2-e1 [Houdini annotates: 30.Kd2-e1 Ra8-c8 31.Bg3-e5 Rb2-c2 32.Nc3-e2 Bg6-d3 33.Ne2-f4 Bd3-c4 34.Ra5-a8 Rc2-c1+ 35.Ra1xc1 Rc8xa8 36.Rc1-a1 Ra8xa1+ 37.Be5xa1 g7-g5 38.Nf4-h5 f7-f5 39.Nh5-f6+ Kh7-g6 40.Ba1-d4 Kg6-f7 41.Ke1-d2 Kf7-e6 42.Kd2-c3 3.69/19 ] 30...Ra8-c8 [Houdini annotates : 30...Ra8-c8 31.Ra1-a2 Rb2-b3 32.Nc3xd5 Rc8-c1+ 33.Ke1-d2 Rc1-g1 34.Nd5-f4 Bg6-b1 35.Ra2-a3 Rb3-b2+ 36.Kd2-c3 Rb2-c2+ 37.Kc3-b3 g7-g5 38.Nf4-d5 Rg1xg2 39.Ra3-a1 Rc2-c1 40.Ra5-a7 Bb1-c2+ 41.Kb3-c4 Rc1xa1 42.Ra7xa1 3.69/17 ] 31.Ra5-a2 [ 31.Nc3xd5 seems even better Bg6-e4

93 32.Ke1-f1 f7-f6+- ;Houdini annotates: 31.Ra1-a2 Rb2-b3 32.Nc3xd5 Rc8-c1+ 33.Ke1-d2 Rc1-g1 34.Nd5-f4 Bg6-b1 35.Ra2-a3 Rb3-b2+ 36.Kd2-c3 Rb2-c2+ 37.Kc3-b3 g7-g5 38.Nf4-d5 Rg1xg2 39.Ra3-a1 Rc2-c1

Levon Aronian's Best Games 40.Ra5-a7 Bb1-c2+ 41.Kb3-c4 40.Ra5-a7 Bb1-c2+ 41.Kb3-c4 Rc1xa1 42.Ra7xa1 3.51/16 ] 31...Rb2xa2 [Houdini annotates: 31...Rb2xa2 32.Nc3xa2 d5-d4 33.e3xd4 Rc8-a8 34.d4-d5 Bg6-c2 35.Bg3-c7 Kh7-g6 36.d5-d6 Bc2-f5 37.Ke1-d2 Ra8-a3 38.Kd2-d1 Bf5-g4+ 39.Kd1-c2 Bg4-e6 40.Kc2-c1 f7-f6 41.Kc1-b2 Ra3-b3+ 42.Kb2-c2 Rb3-a3 43.f2-f3 Kg6-f5 44.Kc2-b2 Ra3-b3+ 45.Kb2-c1 Rb3-a3 46.Kc1-b1 Ra3-b3+ 47.Kb1-c1 Rb3-a3 3.56/17 ] 32.Nc3xa2 [ 32.Ra1xa2?! Rc8xc3 33.Ke1d2 d5-d4= ;Houdini annotates: 32.Nc3xa2 d5-d4 33.e3xd4 Rc8-a8 34.d4-d5 Bg6-c2 35.d5-d6 Bc2-b3 36.f2-f3 f7-f6 37.d6-d7 Bb3-e6 38.Na2-c1 Ra8-d8 39.Ra1-a7 Be6xd7 40.Bg3-c7 Rd8-e8+ 41.Ke1-f2 Bd7-b5 42.Bc7-d6 Kh7-g6 43.h2-h4 Bb5-c4 3.25/16 ] 32...d5-d4 [Houdini annotates: 32...d5-d4 33.e3xd4 Rc8a8 34.d4-d5 Bg6-c2 35.Bg3-c7 Kh7-g6 36.Ke1-d2 Bc2-b3 37.d5-d6 Bb3-e6 38.Kd2-c1 Ra8-a3 39.Kc1-b2 Ra3-b3+ 40.Kb2-c2 Rb3-a3 41.Kc2c1 f7-f6 42.Kc1-b2 Ra3-b3+ 43.Kb2c2 Rb3-a3 44.f2-f3 Kg6-f5 45.Kc2-b2

94

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ra3-b3+ 46.Kb2-c1 Rb3-a3 47.Kc1-b1 Ra3-b3+ 48.Kb1-c1 Rb3-a3 3.24/17 ] 33.e3xd4 [ Houdini annotates: 33.e3xd4 Rc8-a8 34.d4-d5 Bg6-c2 35.d5-d6 Bc2-b3 36.d6-d7 Ra8-d8 37.Na2-c1 Bb3-e6 38.Ra1-a7 Be6xd7 39.Bg3-c7 Rd8-e8+ 40.Ke1-d2 Bd7-e6 41.Nc1-d3 Re8-e7 42.f2-f3 f7-f6 43.Bc7-b6 Re7xa7 44.Bb6xa7 Kh7-g6 45.Ba7-f2 Kg6-f7 3.17/19 ] 33...Rc8-a8 [Houdini annotates: 33...Rc8-a8 34.d4-d5 Bg6-e4 35.d5-d6 Be4-d5 36.Ke1-d2 Bd5-e6 37.Bg3-e5 Ra8-a5 38.Be5-c3 Ra5-d5+ 39.Kd2-e3 Rd5xd6 40.Na2-b4 Rd6-d7 41.Bc3-d4 f7-f6 42.Ra1-a7 Rd7xa7 43.Bd4xa7 Kh7-g6 44.Ba7-c5 Kg6-g5 45.Nb4-d3 Be6-f7 46.Nd3-f4 3.22/18 ] 34.d4-d5 [ Houdini annotates: 34.d4-d5 Bg6-e4 35.d5-d6 Be4-d5 36.Ke1-d2 Bd5-e6 37.Bg3-e5 Ra8-a5 38.Be5-c3 Ra5-d5+ 39.Kd2-e3 Rd5xd6 40.Na2-b4 Rd6-d7 41.Bc3-d4 f7-f6 42.Ra1-a7 Rd7xa7 43.Bd4xa7 Kh7-g6 44.Ba7-c5 Kg6-g5 45.Nb4-c6 3.21/17 ] 34...Bg6-f5 [Houdini annotates: 34...Bg6-e4 35.d5-d6 Be4-d5 36.Ke1-d2 Bd5-e6 37.Bg3-e5 Ra8-a5 38.Be5-c3 Ra5-d5+ 39.Kd2-e3 Rd5xd6 40.Na2-b4 Rd6-d7 41.Bc3-d4 Rd7-d8 42.Ra1-a7 Rd8-e8 43.Bd4-e5 Be6-c4 44.Ke3-f4 3.23/16 ] 35.d5-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 35.Bg3-c7 Bf5-e4 36.d5-d6 Be4-f5 37.Ke1-d2 Bf5-e6 38.Kd2-c2 Ra8-a3 39.Kc2-c1 Kh7-g6 40.Kc1-b2 Ra3-b3+ 41.Kb2-c2 Rb3-a3 42.Kc2-c1 Kg6-h7 43.f2-f3 Kh7-g6 44.Kc1-b2 Ra3-b3+ 45.Kb2-c1 Rb3-a3 46.Kc1-b2 3.27/16 ] 35...Bf5-d7 [Houdini annotates: 35...Kh7-g6 36.Ra1-d1 Ra8xa2

95 37.d6-d7 Bf5xd7 38.Rd1xd7 Kg6-f6 39.Rd7-d2 Ra2-a1+ 40.Ke1-e2 Kf6-e6 41.f2-f3 f7-f6 42.Rd2-b2 g7-g5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Bg3-e1 Ra1-a6 44.Be1-f2 Ra6a8 43.Bg3-e1 Ra1-a6 44.Be1-f2 Ra6a8 45.h2-h4 Ra8-e8 46.Rb2b6+ Ke6-e5 3.10/17 ] 36.Bg3f4 [ 36.Ke1-d2 and White can already relax Ra8-a5+- ;Houdini annotates: 36.Ke1-d2 f7-f6 37.Kd2-c3 Bd7e6 38.Ra1-e1 Be6xa2 39.d6-d7 Ra8d8 40.Re1-e7 Ba2-e6 41.Re7xe6 Rd8xd7 42.f2-f3 Rd7-a7 43.Re6-e2 Kh7g6 44.Bg3-f2 Ra7-c7+ 45.Kc3-d3 Kg6f7 46.Re2-d2 Rc7-d7+ 47.Kd3c3 Rd7-c7+ 48.Kc3-b4 3.18/17 ] 36...Kh7-g6 [ 36...g7-g5 does not win a prize 37.Bf4-e3+- ;Houdini annotates: 36...f7-f6 37.Bf4-d2 h6h5 38.Bd2-c3 Ra8-a6 39.Na2-b4 Ra6xd6 40.f2-f3 Bd7-b5 41.Ra1-a5 Rd6b6 42.Ke1-f2 Rb6-b7 43.Nb4-d5 Kh7g6 44.Bc3-d4 Kg6-f7 3.12/16 ] 37.Bf4d2 [ Houdini annotates: 37.Bf4-d2 f7-f6 38.Bd2-c3 Kg6-f7 39.f2-f3 Kf7e6 40.Na2-c1 Ra8xa1 41.Bc3xa1 Ke6xd6 42.Nc1-e2 Bd7-e8 43.Ke1-d2 Kd6c5 44.Kd2-e3 Kc5-c4 45.Ne2-d4 Be8d7

96 46.Ke3-e4 g7-g6 47.g2-g4 3.02/17 ] 37...Ra8-a6 [Houdini annotates: 37...f7-f6 38.Bd2-c3 Kg6-f5 39.Ke1-d2 Bd7-e8 40.Na2-c1 Ra8xa1 41.Bc3xa1 Kf5-e6 42.Nc1-e2 Ke6xd6 43.Kd2-e3 Kd6-c5 44.Ne2-d4 Be8-d7 45.f2-f3 Kc5-c4 46.Ke3-e4 g7-g6 47.g2-g4 3.13/17 ] 38.Bd2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 38.Bd2-b4 f7-f6 39.Ke1-d2 Bd7-e6 40.Kd2-c3 Kg6-f7 41.Ra1-d1 Ra6xa2 42.d6-d7 Be6xd7 43.Rd1xd7+ Kf7-e6 44.Rd7xg7 Ra2xf2 45.h2-h3 h6-h5 46.Bb4-c5 Rf2-a2 47.g2-g3 Ra2-h2 48.h3-h4 Rh2-h1 49.Bc5-e3 Rh1-b1 3.26/16 ] 38...Ra6xd6 [ Houdini annotates: 38...Ra6xd6 39.Na2-b4 Bd7-b5 40.f2-f4 Rd6-e6+ 41.Ke1-f2 Re6-e4 42.Kf2-f3 Re4-c4 43.Bc3-d2 Rc4-c7 44.Ra1-a5 Bb5-d7 45.Bd2-e3 f7-f6 46.g2-g4 Kg6-f7 47.Nb4-d5 Bd7-c6 48.f4-f5 Rc7-d7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 49.Kf3-e4 Rd7-e7+ 50.Ke4-f4 3.10/19 ] 39.Na2-b4 [Houdini annotates: 39.Na2-b4 Bd7-b5 40.f2-f4 f7-f6 41.Ra1-a7 Rd6-d7 42.Ra7xd7 Bb5xd7 43.Ke1-f2 Kg6-f5 44.Kf2-e3 h6-h5 45.h2-h3 Bd7-e8 46.Nb4-d5 Be8-b5 47.Bc3-e1 Bb5-e8 48.Ke3-d4 3.14/18 ] 39...Bd7-b5 [Houdini annotates: 39...Rd6-e6+ 40.Ke1-d2 Bd7-b5 41.Bc3-d4 Re6-d6 42.Kd2-e3 Rd6-e6+ 43.Ke3-f4 Re6-d6 44.Bd4-e3 Kg6-f6 45.Ra1-a5 Bb5-d7 46.Ra5-a7 g7-g5+ 47.Kf4-e4 Bd7-f5+ 48.Ke4-f3 Kf6-g6 3.07/15 ] 40.Nb4-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 40.f2-f4 f7-f6 41.Ra1-a7 Bb5-d7 42.Ke1-f2 Kg6-f5 43.Kf2-f3 h6-h5 44.Ra7-c7 Kf5-g6 45.Kf3-e4 Bd7-f5+ 46.Ke4-e3 Rd6-d1 47.h2-h3 h5-h4 48.Rc7-a7 Bf5-d7 49.Nb4-d3 Bd7-c6 3.13/17 ] 40...Rd6-d3 [Houdini annotates: 40...Rd6-d7 41.Nc2-d4 Bb5-c4 42.Ra1-a4 Bc4-d5 43.f2-f3 f7-f6 44.Ke1-f2 Bd5-f7 45.Ra4-a1 Bf7-g8 46.Kf2-e3 Bg8-c4 47.Bc3-b4 Rd7-b7 48.Ra1-a4 Rb7-b8 49.Bb4-d6 Rb8-e8+ 50.Ke3-f4 2.97/16 ] 41.Ra1-a3 [Houdini annotates: 41.Nc2-d4 Rd3xc3 42.Nd4xb5 Rc3-c5 43.Ra1-a6+ f7-f6 44.Nb5-d4 Rc5-c4 45.Nd4-e6 Kg6-f7 46.Ke1-d2 Rc4-e4 47.Ne6-c5 Re4-e5 48.Nc5-d3 Re5-e7 49.Ra6-d6 Re7-a7 50.Kd2-e3 Ra7-e7+ 51.Ke3-d4 3.17/18 ] 41...f7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 41...Rd3-d7 42.Nc2-e3 Rd7-e7 43.Ra3-b3 Bb5-e8 44.Rb3-b6+ f7-f6 45.Ke1-e2 Be8-d7 46.Ke2-f3 Bd7-c8 47.Bc3-b4 Re7-c7 48.Kf3-g3 Kg6-f7 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 2.96/17 ] 42.Bc3-d4 [Houdini annotates: 42.Nc2-d4 Bb5-c4 43.Bc3b2

97 Rd3xa3 44.Bb2xa3 Kg6-f7 45.f2-f3 g7-g6 46.Ke1-f2 h6-h5 47.g2-g3 Bc4-d5 48.Kf2-e3 Bd5-b7 49.Ba3-b4 Bb7-c8 50.Bb4-c5 g6-g5 51.Bc5-a3

Levon Aronian's Best Games h5-h4 52.g3-g4 Bc8-b7 53.Nd4-f5 h5-h4 52.g3-g4 Bc8-b7 53.Nd4-f5 3.31/18 ] 42...Rd3xa3 [Houdini annotates : 42...Rd3xa3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zp-0 52 9-+-+-zpkzp0 9+l+-+-+-0 9-+-vL-+-+0 9tr-+-+-+-0 9-+N+-zPPzP0 9+-+-mK-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 43.Nc2xa3 Bb5-d7 44.f2-f3 h6-h5 45.Na3-c4 Kg6-f7 46.Ke1-f2 h5-h4 47.Nc4-b6 Bd7-e6 48.Kf2-e3 h4-h3 49.g2-g4 Be6-b3 50.Bd4-c3 Kf7-e6 51.Bc3-e1 g7-g5 3.14/18 ] 43.Nc2xa3 [ Houdini annotates: 43.Nc2xa3 Bb5-d3 44.f2-f3 Kg6-f5 45.Ke1-d2 Bd3-f1 46.Na3-c2 Kf5-e6 47.g2-g4 g7-g6 48.Nc2-b4 h6-h5 49.Nb4-d3 h5xg4 50.f3xg4 g6-g5 51.Kd2-e3 Bf1-g2 52.Nd3-c5+ Ke6-d5 2.95/15 ] 43...Bb5-c6 [Houdini annotates: 43...Bb5-d7 44.f2-f3 h6-h5 45.Na3-c4 Kg6-f7 46.Ke1-f2 h5-h4 47.Nc4-b6 Bd7-e6 48.Kf2-e3 h4-h3 49.g2-g4 Be6-b3 50.Bd4-c3 Kf7-e6 51.Bc3-e1 2.86/16 ] 44.f2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 44.f2-f3 h6-h5 45.Ke1-f2 Kg6-g5 46.Kf2-e3 h5-h4 47.Bd4-c3 Kg5-f5 48.Bc3-e1 g7-g5 49.Be1-c3 Bc6-d7 50.Na3-c4 Kf5-e6 51.Ke3-d4 Bd7-e8 52.Kd4-c5 Be8-g6 53.Nc4-d6 2.92/17 ] 44...Kg6-f7 [Houdini annotates: 44...h6-h5 45.Ke1-f2 Kg6-g5

98 46.Kf2-e3 h5-h4 47.Bd4-c3 Kg5-f5 48.Bc3-e1 g7-g5 49.Be1-c3 Bc6-d7 50.Na3-c4 Kf5-e6 51.Ke3-d4 Bd7-c8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 52.Bc3-b4 Bc8-a6 2.98/16 ] 45.Na3-c4 [Houdini annotates: 45.Ke1-d2 Bc6-d7 46.Na3-c4 h6-h5 47.h2-h4 Kf7-e6 48.Kd2-e3 Bd7-e8 49.Nc4-d2 Be8-d7 50.Nd2-e4 Bd7-b5 51.Bd4-c5 Bb5-c6 52.Ne4-d6 Ke6-e5 53.Bc5-b4 2.93/16 ] 45...Kf7-e6 [Houdini annotates : 45...h6-h5 46.Ke1-d2 h5-h4 47.Kd2-e3 Bc6-d7 48.Bd4-c5 Kf7-e6 49.Bc5-b4 g7-g5 50.Bb4-e1 Ke6-f7 51.Nc4-d6+ Kf7-e7 52.Nd6-e4 h4-h3 53.Be1-b4+ Ke7-f7 54.Ne4-d6+ Kf7-e7 2.98/17 ] 46.Nc4-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 46.Ke1-d2 h6-h5 47.Kd2-e3 Ke6-d5 48.Nc4-b2 Bc6-e8 49.Nb2-d3 Kd5-e6 50.Bd4-c3 h5-h4 51.Ke3-d4 g7-g5 52.Bc3-e1 Be8-f7 53.Nd3-c5+ Ke6-f5 2.94/16 ] 46...Bc6-b7 [Houdini annotates: 46...h6-h5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zp-0 53 9-+l+kzp-+0 9+-+-+-+p0 9-+-vL-+-+0 9+-+-sNP+-0 9-+-+-+PzP0 9+-+-mK-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 47.Ke1-f2 h5-h4 48.Bd4-b2 Bc6-b7 49.Ne3-c2 Bb7-c8 50.Kf2-e3 Bc8-d7 51.Ke3-d4 Ke6-f7 52.Nc2-e3 h4-h3 53.g2-g4 Bd7-c6 54.Ne3-d5 Kf7-e6 55.Nd5-f4+ Ke6-f7 2.85/16 ] 47.Bd4-c5 [Houdini annotates:

99 47.h2-h4 Bb7-a6 48.Ke1-f2 Ba6-d3 49.h4-h5 Bd3-a6 50.Kf2-g3 Ba6-d3 51.Kg3-f4 Bd3-h7 52.Bd4-c5 Bh7-d3 53.g2-g3 Bd3-h7 54.Bc5-f8 Ke6-f7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 55.Bf8-b4 Kf7-e6 3.01/16 ] 47...Bb7-c6 55.Bf8-b4 Kf7-e6 3.01/16 ] 47...Bb7-c6 [Houdini annotates: 47...g7-g5 48.Bc5-d4 h6-h5 49.Ke1-d2 Bb7-a6 50.Kd2-c3 f6-f5 51.Ne3-c4 Ke6-d5 52.Nc4-e5 Ba6-f1 53.g2-g3 Bf1-b5 54.Ne5-d3 Bb5-e8 55.Nd3b4+ Kd5-e6 2.79/16 ] 48.Ke1f2 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Ke1-d2 h6-h5 49.Kd2-c3 h5-h4 50.Ne3c2 Bc6-b7 51.Bc5-f2 g7-g5 52.Kc3-c4 Bb7-a6+ 53.Kc4-c5 Ba6-f1 54.Nc2-e3 Bf1-a6 55.Ne3-c4 Ba6-b7 56.Nc4-d6 Bb7-a6 2.88/16 ] 48...Bc6-b7 [ Houdini annotates: 48...h6-h5 49.Bc5-f8 Ke6-f7 50.Bf8-b4 Kf7-e6 51.Ne3-c2 Bc6-d5 52.Kf2-e3 g7-g5 53.Nc2-d4+ Ke6-e5 54.Bb4-c3 Bd5-c4 55.Bc3-e1 f6-f5 56.Nd4-c6+ Ke5-d5 2.93/16 ] 49.f3-f4 [Houdini annotates: 49.Ne3-c2 h6-h5 50.Kf2-e3 g7-g6 51.Nc2-d4+ Ke6-f7 52.Nd4-b5 Bb7-c6 53.Nb5-c3 Kf7-e6 54.Bc5-d4 Bc6-b7 55.Nc3-e4 Bb7xe4 56.f3xe4 h5-h4 57.Bd4-c3 f6-f5 3.06/16 ] 49...Bb7-e4 [Houdini annotates: 49...g7-g6 50.g2-g4 f6-f5 51.g4xf5+ g6xf5 52.Bc5-d4 Bb7-e4 53.Kf2-g3 Ke6-f7 54.Kg3-h4 Kf7-g6 55.Ne3-c4 Be4-a8 56.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-h7 57.Bd4-c3 Ba8-b7 58.Bc3-b2 Bb7-a6 59.Bb2-d4 Ba6-b7 60.Kh4-h5 Bb7-d5 61.h2-h3 Bd5-e4 62.Bd4-f2 Kh7-g7 63.Bf2-g1 Be4-d5 3.10/18 ] 50.g2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 50.f4-f5+ Be4xf5 51.Bc5-f8 Bf5-e4 52.Bf8xg7 h6-h5 53.g2-g3 Be4-c6 54.Ne3-g2 Ke6-f5 55.Bg7-h8 Kf5-g5 56.Ng2f4 f6-f5 57.h2-h4+ Kg5-g4 58.Bh8-

100 d4 Bc6-e4 59.Nf4-g6 Be4-d5 60.Ng6-e5+ Kg4-h3 3.11/15 ] 50...h6-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 50...h6-h5 51.Kf2-e2 Be4-h7 52.Ke2-d2 Bh7-e4 53.Kd2-c3 g7-g6 54.Kc3-c4 Be4-c6 55.Kc4-d4 Bc6-a8 56.h2-h3 Ba8-b7 57.Bc5-b4 Bb7-a8 58.g3-g4 f6-f5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 59.g4xh5 g6xh5 60.Bb4-c5 Ba8-e4 61.Ne3-c4 Ke6-f6 62.Nc4-e5 Be4-g2 63.h3-h4 Bg2-a8 2.88/17 ] 51.Kf2-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 51.Kf2-e2 Be4-h7 52.Ke2-d2 Bh7-e4 53.Kd2-c3 g7-g6 54.Kc3-c4 Be4-c6 55.Kc4-d4 Bc6-a8 56.h2-h3 Ba8-b7 57.Bc5-b4 Bb7-a8 58.g3-g4 f6-f5 59.g4xh5 g6xh5 60.Bb4-c5 Ba8-e4 61.Ne3-c4 Ke6-f6 62.Nc4-e5 Be4-g2 63.h3-h4 Bg2-a8 64.Bc5-b4 Ba8-e4 2.82/16 ] 51...g7-g5 [Houdini annotates: 51...g7-g6 52.Ke2-d2 Be4-c6 53.Kd2-d3 Bc6-f3 54.Kd3-d4 Bf3-a8 55.h2-h3 Ba8-b7 56.Bc5-b4 Bb7-a8 57.g3-g4 f6-f5 58.g4xh5 g6xh5 59.Bb4-c5 Ba8-e4 60.Ne3-c4 Ke6-f6 61.Nc4-e5 Be4-g2 62.h3-h4 Bg2-a8 63.Bc5-b4 Ba8-e4 2.88/18 ] 52.Ke2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 52.Ke2-d2 g5xf4 53.g3xf4 Be4-h7 54.Kd2-c3 Bh7-e4 55.Kc3-d4 f6-f5 56.Ne3-c4 h5-h4 57.Nc4-e5 h4-h3 58.Bc5-b6 Be4-a8 59.Bb6-a5 Ke6-e7 60.Ba5-e1 Ke7-e6 61.Ne5-c4 Ba8-b7 62.Nc4-e5 Bb7-e4 63.Be1-b4 Be4-a8 64.Bb4-a5 Ke6-e7 2.85/16 ] 52...h5-h4 [ Houdini annotates: 52...g5xf4 53.g3xf4 Be4-h7 54.Kd2-c3 Bh7-e4 55.Kc3-d4 f6-f5 56.Ne3-c4 h5-h4 57.Nc4-e5 h4-h3 58.Bc5-b6 Be4-a8 59.Bb6-a5 Ke6-e7 60.Ba5-e1 Ke7-e6 61.Ne5-c4 Ba8-b7 62.Nc4-e5 Bb7-e4 63.Be1-b4 Be4-a8 64.Bb4-a5 Ke6-e7 2.91/17 ] 53.Kd2-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 53.Kd2-c3 g5xf4 54.g3xf4 Be4-b1 55.Kc3-d4 h4-h3 56.Ne3-d1 Ke6-f5 57.Kd4-e3 Bb1-e4 58.Nd1-f2 Be4-g2 59.Bc5-d4 Kf5-g6 60.Nf2-g4 f6-f5 61.Ng4-e5+ Kg6-f6 62.Ne5-f3+ Kf6-e6 63.Bd4-e5 Ke6-d5 64.Nf3-d4 Bg2-e4 65.Ke3-f2 Kd5-c5 66.Kf2-g3 Kc5-d5 67.Kg3xh3

101 3.23/18 ] 53...h4xg3 [ 53...g5xf4 does not help much 54.g3xf4 Be4-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 55.h2-h3+- ;Houdini annotates: 55.h2-h3+- ;Houdini annotates: 53...g5xf4 54.g3xf4 Be4-b1 55.Kc3d4 h4-h3 56.Ne3-d1 Ke6-f5 57.Kd4e3 Bb1-e4 58.Nd1-f2 Be4-g2 59.Bc5-d4 Kf5-g6 60.Nf2-g4 f6-f5 61.Ng4-e5+ Kg6-h5 62.Bd4-c3 Bg2-a8 63.Ke3d4 Ba8-e4 64.Bc3-e1 Be4-g2 65.Kd4-c5 Bg2-a8 66.Kc5-d6 Ba8-e4 3.22/17 ] 54.h2xg3 [Houdini annotates: 54.h2xg3 Be4-c6 55.Kc3-d4 g5xf4 56.g3xf4 f6-f5 57.Bc5-b6 Bc6-e4 58.Bb6-a5 Be4-a8 59.Ba5-d8 Ba8-e4 60.Kd4-c5 Be4-b1 61.Bd8-g5 Bb1-a2 62.Kc5-d4 Ke6-d6 63.Ne3xf5+ Kd6-e6 64.Nf5-e3 Ba2-b1 65.Bg5-d8 Bb1-h7 66.Bd8-c7 Bh7-g6 67.Bc7-e5 Bg6-h7 68.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 69.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 70.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 71.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 3.80/17 ] 54...g5xf4 [Houdini annotates: 54...Be4-b7 55.Kc3-d4 g5xf4 56.g3xf4 f6-f5 57.Bc5-b6 Bb7-e4 58.Bb6-a5 Be4-a8 59.Ba5-d8 Ba8-e4 60.Bd8-g5 Be4-b1 61.Kd4-c5 Bb1-a2 62.Bg5-d8 Ba2-b1 63.Bd8-h4 Bb1-d3 64.Bh4-g5 Bd3-e4 65.Bg5-d8 Be4-b1 66.Bd8-h4 3.85/18 ] 55.g3xf4 [ Houdini annotates: 55.g3xf4 f6-f5 56.Kc3-d4 Be4-b1 57.Ne3-c4 Bb1-a2 58.Bc5-b6 Ke6-e7 59.Nc4-e3 Ke7-d6 60.Ne3xf5+ Kd6-e6 61.Nf5-e3 Ba2-b1 62.Bb6-c7 Bb1-g6 63.Bc7-e5 Bg6-h7 64.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 65.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 66.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 67.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 3.81/17 ] 55...Be4-b1 [Houdini annotates : 55...f6-f5 56.Kc3-d4 Be4-b1 57.Ne3-c4 Bb1-a2 58.Bc5-b6 Ke6-e7 59.Nc4-e3 Ke7-d6 60.Ne3xf5+ Kd6-e6 61.Nf5-e3 Ba2-b1 62.Bb6-c7 Bb1-g6 63.Bc7-e5 Bg6-h7 64.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5

102 65.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 66.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 67.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 3.85/18 ] 56.Kc3-d4 [Houdini annotates: 56.Kc3-d4 Bb1-h7 57.Bc5-b4 Bh7-g6 58.Bb4-e1 Bg6-b1 59.Be1-h4 Ke6-f7 60.Ne3-d5 Bb1-a2 61.Nd5xf6 Kf7-e6 62.Bh4-g5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ba2-b1 63.Nf6-g4 Bb1-h7 64.Ng4-e3 Bh7-g6 65.Bg5-d8 Bg6-h7 66.Bd8-c7 Bh7-g6 67.Bc7-e5 Bg6-h7 68.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 69.Nc4-b6 Bf5-g6 70.Nb6-d5 Bg6-f5 71.Nd5-c3 Bf5-g6 72.Nc3-e4 Ke6-f5 73.Kd4-e3 Kf5-e6 74.Ne4-d6 Bg6-h7 75.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 3.81/19 ] 56...Bb1-g6 [Houdini annotates: 56...f6-f5 57.Ne3-c4 Bb1-a2 58.Bc5-b6 Ke6-e7 59.Nc4-e3 Ke7-d6 60.Ne3xf5+ Kd6-e6 61.Nf5-e3 Ba2-b1 62.Bb6-c7 Bb1-g6 63.Bc7-e5 Bg6-h7 64.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 65.Nc4-b6 Bf5-g6 66.Nb6-d5 Bg6-f5 67.Nd5-c3 Bf5-g6 68.Nc3-e4 Ke6-f5 69.Kd4-e3 Kf5-e6 70.Ne4-d6 Bg6-h7 71.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 3.85/18 ] 57.Bc5-b6 [Houdini annotates: 57.Bc5-b6 Bg6-h7 58.Bb6-a5 Bh7-b1 59.Ba5-d8 Bb1-g6 60.Ne3-d5 Bg6-h5 61.Nd5xf6 Bh5-f3 62.Nf6-g8 Bf3-h5 63.Ng8-h6 Bh5-g6 64.Bd8-c7 Bg6-h7 65.Bc7-e5 Bh7-c2 66.Nh6-g4 Bc2-g6 67.Ng4-e3 Bg6-h7 68.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 69.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 70.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 71.Ke3-d4 Bh7-g6 72.Kd4-e3 3.81/19 ] 57...Bg6-b1 [ Houdini annotates: 57...Bg6-h7 58.Bb6-a5 Bh7-b1 59.Ba5-d8 Bb1-g6 60.Ne3-d5 Bg6-h5 61.Nd5xf6 Bh5-f3 62.Nf6-g8 Bf3-h5 63.Ng8-h6 Bh5-g6 64.Bd8-c7 Bg6-h7 65.Bc7-e5 Bh7-c2 66.Nh6-g4 Bc2-g6 67.Ng4-e3 Bg6-h7 68.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 69.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 70.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 71.Ke3-d4 Bh7-g6 72.Kd4-e3 3.85/20 ] 58.Bb6-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 58.Bb6-d8 Bb1-g6 59.Ne3-d5 Bg6-h5 60.Nd5xf6 Bh5-f3 61.Nf6-g8 Bf3-h5 62.Ng8-h6 Bh5-g6 63.Bd8-c7 Bg6-h7 64.Bc7-e5 Bh7-c2 65.Nh6-g4 Bc2-g6 66.Ng4-e3 Bg6-h7 67.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 68.Nc4-d6

103 Bf5-g6 69.Kd4-e3 Bg6-h7 70.Ke3-d4 Bh7-g6 71.Kd4-e3 3.81/18 ] 58...f6-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 58...Bb1-g6 59.Ne3-d5 Bg6-h5 60.Nd5xf6 Bh5-f3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 61.Nf6-g8 Bf3-h5 62.Ng8-h6 Bh5-g6 61.Nf6-g8 Bf3-h5 62.Ng8-h6 Bh5-g6 63.Bd8-c7 Bg6-h7 64.Bc7-e5 Bh7-c2 65.Nh6-g4 Bc2-g6 66.Ng4-e3 Bg6-h7 67.Ne3-c4 Bh7-f5 68.Nc4-d6 Bf5-g6 69.Nd6-e4 Ke6-f5 70.Ne4-d6+ Kf5-g4 71.Nd6-c4 3.85/18 ] 59.Kd4-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 59.Kd4-c5 Ke6-d7 60.Bd8-g5 Kd7-e6 61.Ne3-d5 Bb1-e4 62.Nd5-c3 Be4-a8 63.Nc3-b5 Ba8-e4 64.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 65.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 66.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 67.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 68.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 69.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 70.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 71.Bf6g5+ Kh6-h5 72.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 73.Bg5-e7 Bb1-d3 74.Nd5-c3 Kh5-g6 75.Nc3-d5 Kg6-h6 76.Be7-c5 Kh6-g6 77.Nd5-c3 Kg6-h5 78.Bc5-e7 Kh5-g6 4.33/21 ] 59...Bb1-e4 [Houdini annotates: 59...Bb1-d3 60.Ne3-c4 Bd3-e4 61.Nc4-e5 Be4-b7 62.Bd8-g5 Bb7-e4 63.Ne5-c6 Ke6-f7 64.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 65.Nc6-e7+ Kg6-h5 66.Ne7-d5 Be4-c2 67.Kd6-e5 Bc2-d3 68.Bg5-d8 Bd3-b1 69.Nd5-c3 Bb1-d3 70.Bd8-e7 Kh5-g6 71.Nc3-d5 Kg6-h6 72.Be7-c5 Kh6-g6 73.Nd5-c3 Kg6-h5 74.Bc5-e7 Kh5-g6 4.37/22 ] 60.Bd8-g5 [ Houdini annotates: 60.Bd8-g5 Ke6-f7 61.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 62.Ne3-d5 Kg6-h5 63.Kd6-e5 Be4-d3 64.Bg5-d8 Bd3-b1 65.Nd5-c3 Bb1-d3 66.Bd8-e7 Kh5-g6 67.Nc3-d5 Kg6-h6 68.Be7-c5 Kh6-h5 69.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b5 70.Ke5xf5 Bb5-d7+ 71.Kf5-e5 Kh5-g6 72.Bd6-c5 Kg6-f7 73.f4-f5 Bd7-c6 74.Nd5-f4 Bc6-b7 75.Nf4-e6 4.33/21 ] 60...Be4-b1 [Houdini annotates: 60...Ke6-d7 61.Ne3-c4 Be4-c2 62.Nc4-b6+ Kd7-e6 63.Nb6-d5 Bc2-d1 64.Nd5-c7+ Ke6-d7 65.Nc7-b5 Bd1-f3 66.Bg5-h4 Bf3-a8 67.Nb5-d4 Ba8-e4 68.Bh4-g5 Kd7-e8 69.Kc5-d6

104 Ke8-f7 70.Nd4-c6 Kf7-g6 71.Nc6-e7+ Kg6-h5 72.Ne7-d5 Be4-c2 73.Kd6-e5 Bc2-d3 74.Bg5-e7 Bd3-b1 75.Be7-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bb1-d3 76.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b1 77.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 78.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-h5 79.Ne3xf5 Kh5-g4 80.Nf5-d4 Bb1-a2 81.f4-f5 Ba2-c4 82.Kf6-e5 Bc4-f7 83.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 84.Bd6-c5 Kg5-g6 4.37/22 ] 61.Ne3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 61.Ne3-d5 Bb1-e4 62.Nd5-c3 Be4-a8 63.Nc3-b5 Ba8-e4 64.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 65.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 66.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 67.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 68.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 69.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 70.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 71.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-h5 72.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 73.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 74.Be7-f6 Bb1-d3 75.Nd5-e7+ Kg6-f7 76.Ne7xf5 Kf7-g6 77.Nf5-d6 Kg6-h5 78.f4-f5 Kh5-g4 79.Bf6-e7 4.33/22 ] 61...Bb1-e4 [Houdini annotates: 61...Bb1-d3 62.Nd5-b4 Bd3-e4 63.Nb4-c6 Ke6-f7 64.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 65.Nc6-e7+ Kg6-h5 66.Ne7-d5 Be4-c2 67.Kd6-e5 Bc2-d3 68.Bg5-d8 Bd3-b1 69.Nd5-c3 Bb1-d3 70.Bd8-e7 Kh5-g6 71.Nc3-d5 Kg6-h6 72.Be7-c5 Kh6-h5 73.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b1 74.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 75.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-h5 76.Ne3xf5 Kh5-g4 77.Nf5-d4 Bb1-a2 78.f4-f5 Ba2-c4 79.Kf6-e5 Bc4-f7 80.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 81.Bd6-c5 Kg5-g4 4.37/23 ] 62.Nd5-b4 [Houdini annotates: 62.Nd5-b4 Be4-h1 63.Nb4-c6 Bh1-e4 64.Nc6-d4+ Ke6-f7 65.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 66.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 67.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 68.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 69.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 70.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 71.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-h5 72.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 73.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 74.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 75.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 76.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 77.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 78.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 79.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 80.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 81.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 4.33/23 ] 62...Ke6-d7

105 [ Houdini annotates: 62...Be4-b1 63.Nb4-c6 Ke6-f7 64.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 65.Nc6-e5+ Kg6-h5 66.Ne5-c4 Bb1-c2 67.Nc4-e3 Bc2-e4 68.Ne3-d5 Be4-b1 69.Kd6-e5 Kh5-g6 70.Bg5-f6 Kg6-h5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 71.Bf6-e7 Kh5-g6 72.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 71.Bf6-e7 Kh5-g6 72.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 73.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 74.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 75.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 76.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 77.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 78.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 79.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 80.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 4.37/22 ] 63.Nb4-a2 [Houdini annotates: 63.Nb4-a2 Be4-a8 64.Na2-c3 Ba8-c6 65.Nc3-b5 Bc6-a8 66.Nb5-d4 Ba8-e4 67.Bg5-f6 Kd7-e8 68.Kc5-d6 Ke8-f7 69.Kd6-e5 Kf7-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-c2 71.Nb5-c3 Bc2-d3 72.Bf6-e7 Kg6-h6 73.Nc3-d5 Kh6-g6 74.Be7-c5 Kg6-h5 75.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b5 76.Ke5xf5 Bb5-d7+ 77.Kf5-e5 Kh5-g6 78.Bd6-c5 Kg6-f7 79.f4-f5 Bd7-c6 80.Nd5-f4 Bc6-b7 81.Nf4-e6 4.33/22 ] 63...Kd7-e6 [Houdini annotates: 63...Be4-c2 64.Na2-c3 Kd7-e6 65.Kc5-c4 Ke6-f7 66.Kc4-d5 Kf7-g6 67.Kd5-e5 Kg6-h5 68.Nc3-d5 Bc2-d3 69.Bg5-d8 Bd3-b1 70.Nd5-c3 Bb1-d3 71.Bd8-e7 Kh5-g6 72.Nc3-d5 Kg6-h6 73.Be7-c5 Kh6-h5 74.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b1 75.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 76.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 77.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 78.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 79.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 80.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 81.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 82.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 4.37/22 ] 64.Na2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 64.Na2-c3 Be4-a8 65.Nc3-b5 Ba8-e4 66.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 67.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6g5+ Kh6-h5 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 76.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 77.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 78.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 79.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 80.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 81.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 82.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 83.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 84.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 4.33/23 ] 64...Be4-f3 [Houdini

106 annotates : 64...Be4-d3 65.Nc3-b5 Bd3-e4 66.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 67.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6-g5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kh6-h5 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 76.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 77.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 78.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 79.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 80.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 81.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 82.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 83.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 84.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 85.Ke5xe6 4.37/23 ] 65.Nc3-b5 [ Houdini annotates: 65.Nc3-b5 Bf3-e4 66.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 67.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-h5 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 76.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 77.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 78.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 79.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 80.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 81.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 82.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 83.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 84.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 85.Ke5xe6 4.33/22 ] 65...Bf3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 65...Ke6-f7 66.Kc5-d6 Bf3-e4 67.Nb5-d4 Kf7-g6 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-g6 74.Bg5-e7 Kg6-h5 75.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 76.Be7-c5 Bb1-d3 77.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b1 78.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 79.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 80.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 81.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 82.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 83.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 84.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 85.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 86.Ke5xe6 4.37/22 ] 66.Nb5-d4+ [ Houdini annotates: 66.Nb5-d4+ Ke6-f7 67.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-h5 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 76.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 77.Bd6-c5 Bb1-d3 78.Bc5-e7 Bd3-b1 79.Be7-g5 Kh5-g6 80.Bg5-f6 Kg6-h5 81.Bf6-g5 Kh5-g6 4.33/21 ] 66...Ke6-d7 [Houdini annotates: 66...Ke6-f7 67.Kc5-d6 Kf7-g6

107 68.Kd6-e5 Kg6-h5 69.Bg5-d8 Kh5-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-b1 71.Nb5-c3 Bb1-d3 72.Bd8-f6 Kg6-h6 73.Bf6-g5+ Kh6-h5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 74.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 75.Bg5-e7 Kh5-g6 76.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 77.Ke5-f6 Kh5-h4 78.Nd5-e3 Kh4-g3 79.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 80.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 81.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 82.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 83.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 84.Nd4-e6+ Bf7xe6 85.Ke5xe6 4.37/21 ] 67.Bg5-f6 [Houdini annotates: 67.Bg5-f6 Kd7-e8 68.Kc5-d6 Ke8-f7 69.Kd6-e5 Kf7-g6 70.Nd4-b5 Be4-c2 71.Nb5-c3 Bc2-d3 72.Bf6-e7 Kg6-h5 73.Nc3-d5 Bd3-b1 74.Be7-c5 Bb1-d3 75.Bc5-d6 Bd3-b1 76.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 77.Nd5-e3+ Kg4-g3 78.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 79.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 80.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 81.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 82.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 83.Bd6-b4 Kg5-g6 84.Nd4-e6 Bf7-g8 4.33/21 ] 67...Kd7-c7 [ 67...Kd7-e8 a fruitless try to alter the course of the game 68.Kc5-d6 Ke8-f7 69.Kd6-e5+- ; Houdini annotates: 67...Be4-a8 68.Bf6-h4 Ba8-e4 69.Bh4-g5 Kd7-e8 70.Kc5-d6 Ke8-f7 71.Nd4-c6 Kf7-g6 72.Nc6-e7+ Kg6-h5 73.Ne7-d5 Be4-b1 74.Kd6-e5 Kh5-g6 75.Bg5-f6 Kg6-h5 76.Bf6-e7 Kh5-g6 77.Be7-d6 Kg6-h5 78.Ke5-f6 Kh5-g4 79.Nd5e3+ Kg4-g3 80.Ne3xf5+ Kg3-f3 81.Kf6-e5 Bb1-a2 82.Nf5-d4+ Kf3-g4 83.f4-f5 Ba2-f7 84.f5-f6 Kg4-g5 85.Bd6-b4 Kg5-g6 86.Nd4-e6 Bf7-g8 4.37/20 ] 68.Nd4-e6+ [Houdini annotates: 68.Nd4-e6+ Kc7-d7 69.Ne6-g7 Be4-f3 70.Kc5-d4 Kd7-d6 71.Bf6-e5+ Kd6-e7 72.Ng7xf5+ Ke7-f7 73.Nf5-d6+ Kf7-g8 74.f4-f5 Bf3-d1 75.f5-f6 Bd1-b3 76.Be5-f4 Bb3-a2 77.Kd4-e5 Ba2-b3 78.Bf4-d2 Bb3-a2 79.Bd2-g5 Ba2-b3 80.Bg5-f4 Bb3-a2 81.Bf4-h6 Ba2-b3 82.Bh6-g5 Kg8-f8 83.Bg5-d2 Bb3-a2 84.Bd2-c1 Ba2-b3 85.Bc1-g5 Bb3-a2

108 86.Bg5-d2 Ba2-b3 87.Bd2-g5 Bb3-a2 4.99/19 ] 68...Kc7-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 68...Kc7-d7 69.Ne6-g7 Be4-f3 70.Kc5-d4 Kd7-d6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 71.Bf6-e5+ Kd6-e7 72.Ng7xf5+ Ke7-f7 73.Nf5-d6+ Kf7-g8 74.f4-f5 Bf3-d1 75.f5-f6 Bd1-b3 76.Be5-f4 Bb3-a2 77.Kd4-e5 Ba2-b3 78.Bf4-d2 Bb3-a2 79.Bd2-g5 Ba2-b3 80.Bg5-f4 Bb3-a2 81.Bf4-h6 Ba2-b3 82.Bh6-g5 Kg8-f8 83.Bg5-d2 Bb3-a2 84.Bd2-c1 Ba2-b3 85.Bc1-g5 Bb3-a2 86.Bg5-d2 Ba2-b3 87.Bd2-c1 Bb3-a2 88.Bc1-h6+ Kf8-g8 89.Ke5-f4 Ba2-e6 90.Bh6-g7 Be6-b3 91.Kf4-e5 Kg8-h7 92.Ke5-f5 Kh7-g8 93.Kf5-f4 Bb3-a2 94.Kf4-e5 Ba2-f7 95.Ke5-f5 Bf7-d5 96.Kf5-g6 Bd5-f7+ 97.Kg6-g5 Bf7-d5 98.Kg5-f5 Bd5-a2 99.Kf5-g6 Ba2-b3 5.02/21 ] 69.Ne6-g7 [Houdini annotates: 69.Ne6-g7 Be4-g2 70.Kc5-d4 Kd7-d6 71.Bf6-e5+ Kd6-d7 72.Ng7xf5 Bg2-h3 73.Nf5-e3 Bh3-e6 74.f4-f5 Be6-g8 75.Ne3-d5 Bg8-f7 76.Nd5-f6+ Kd7-e7 77.Nf6-e4 Bf7-a2 78.Be5-d6+ Ke7-f7 79.Kd4-e5 Kf7-g7 80.Bd6-b4 Ba2-b1 81.Ne4-d6 Bb1-a2 82.Nd6-e4 Ba2-b1 4.90/18 ] 69...Kd7-c7 [ 69...Be4-g2 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+k+-sN-0 54 9-+-+-vL-+0 9+-mK-+p+-0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+l+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy cannot change destiny 70.Kc5-d4 Kd7-d6 71.Bf6-e5+ Kd6-d7 72.Ng7xf5+- ;Houdini annotates:

109 69...Be4-g2 70.Kc5-d4 Kd7-d6 71.Bf6-e5+ Kd6-d7 72.Ng7xf5 Bg2-h3 73.Nf5-e3 Bh3-e6 74.f4-f5 Be6-g8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 75.Ne3-d5 Bg8-f7 76.Nd5-f6+ Kd7-e7 75.Ne3-d5 Bg8-f7 76.Nd5-f6+ Kd7-e7 77.Nf6-e4 Bf7-a2 78.Be5-d6+ Ke7-f7 79.Kd4-e5 Kf7-g7 80.Bd6-b4 Ba2-b1 81.Ne4-d6 Bb1-a2 82.f5-f6+ Kg7-g6 83.Bb4-e1 Ba2-b3 84.Be1-d2 Bb3-g8 85.Bd2-c1 Bg8-b3 86.Bc1-e3 Bb3-f7 87.Be3-d2 Bf7-g8 88.Bd2-c1 4.93/19 ] 70.Bf6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 70.Bf6-e7 Kc7-b7 71.Kc5-d4 Kb7-c6 72.Kd4-e5 Be4-b1 73.Ng7xf5 Kc6-d7 74.Be7-g5 Kd7-e8 75.Nf5-d6+ Ke8-f8 76.f4-f5 Kf8-g8 77.Bg5-d2 Bb1-a2 78.Ke5-f6 Kg8-h7 79.Kf6-e7 Ba2-g8 80.f5-f6 Kh7-g6 81.Bd2-c1 Kg6-h5 82.Bc1-e3 Kh5-g6 83.f6-f7 Bg8xf7 84.Nd6xf7 Kg6-f5 85.Be3-g5 Kf5-e4 86.Ke7-e6 Ke4-f3 87.Ke6-d5 Kf3-g2 88.Kd5-e4 Kg2-h1 89.Ke4-f3 Kh1-h2 6.06/19 ] 70...Kc7-d7 [Houdini annotates : 70...Be4-g2 71.Kc5-d4 Kc7-c6 72.Ng7xf5 Kc6-d7 73.Kd4-e5 Kd7-e8 74.Be7-b4 Bg2-c6 75.Nf5d6+ Ke8-f8 76.f4-f5 Bc6-a4 77.Bb4d2 Ba4-b3 78.Ke5-f6 Bb3-a2 79.Bd2h6+ Kf8-g8 80.Kf6-e7 Kg8-h7 81.Bh6-e3 Kh7-g7 82.f5-f6+ Kg7-g6 83.f6-f7 Ba2xf7 84.Nd6xf7 Kg6-f5 85.Be3-g5 Kf5-e4 86.Ke7-e6 Ke4-f3 87.Ke6-d5 Kf3-g2 88.Kd5-e4 6.10/20 ] 71.Be7-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 71.Be7-f8 Be4-h1 72.Kc5-d4 Bh1-c6 73.Kd4-e5 Bc6-a4 74.Bf8-a3 Ba4-c6 75.Ng7xf5 Kd7-e8 76.Nf5-d6+ Ke8-f8 77.f4-f5 Bc6-a4 78.Ba3-b4 Ba4-d1 79.Bb4-d2 Bd1-b3 80.Ke5-f6 Bb3-a2 81.Bd2h6+ Kf8-g8 82.Kf6-e7 Kg8-h7 83.Bh6-e3 Kh7-g7 84.f5-f6+ Kg7-g6 85.f6-f7 Ba2xf7 86.Nd6xf7 Kg6-f5 87.Be3-g5 Kf5-e4 88.Ke7-e6 Ke4-f3 89.Ke6-d5

110 Kf3-g2 90.Kd5-e4 6.06/21 ] 71...Kd7-c7 [Houdini annotates: 71...Be4-g2 72.Kc5-d4 Bg2-f3 73.Kd4-e5 Bf3-d1 74.Bf8-a3 Bd1-f3 75.Ng7xf5 Kd7-e8 76.Ba3-c5 Ke8-f7 77.Nf5-d6+ Kf7-f8 78.f4-f5 Bf3-d1

111

Levon Aronian's Best Games 79.Bc5-e3 Bd1-b3 80.Ke5-f6 Bb3-d5 81.Be3-h6+ Kf8-g8 82.Kf6-e7 Kg8-h7 83.Bh6-e3 Bd5-g8 84.f5-f6 Kh7-g6 85.f6-f7 Bg8xf7 86.Nd6xf7 Kg6-f5 87.Be3-g5 Kf5-e4 88.Ke7-e6 Ke4-f3 89.Ke6-d5 Kf3-g2 90.Kd5-e4 Kg2-h1 91.Bg5-h6 Kh1-g2 92.Bh6-g7 Kg2-h1 93.Nf7-g5 Kh1-g2 6.10/22 ] 72.Kc5-d4 [Houdini annotates: 72.Kc5-d4 Kc7-d7 73.Kd4-e5 Be4-d3 74.Ng7xf5 Kd7-e8 75.Bf8-h6 Ke8-f7 76.Nf5-d6+ Kf7-g6 77.Bh6-f8 Kg6-h5 78.f4-f5 Bd3-c2 79.Ke5-e6 Bc2-b3+ 80.Ke6-e7 Kh5-g5 81.f5-f6 Kg5-f4 82.f6-f7 Bb3xf7 83.Nd6xf7 Kf4-g3 84.Ke7-e6 Kg3-h2 85.Ke6-e5 Kh2-h1 86.Ke5-e4 Kh1-g2 87.Bf8-e7 Kg2-h1 88.Ke4-f3 6.06/20 ] 72...Kc7-d7 [Houdini annotates : 72...Be4-c2 73.Kd4-e5 Kc7-d8 74.Bf8-b4 Kd8-d7 75.Ng7xf5 Bc2-b3 76.Nf5-d6 Kd7-e7 77.f4-f5 Ke7-f8 78.Ke5-f6 Bb3-a2 79.Bb4-d2 Ba2-b3 80.Bd2-h6+ Kf8-g8 81.Kf6-e7 Kg8-h7 82.Bh6-d2 Bb3-g8 83.f5-f6 Kh7-g6 84.Bd2-c1 Kg6-h5 85.Bc1-e3 Kh5-g6 86.f6-f7 Bg8xf7 87.Nd6xf7 Kg6-f5 88.Be3-g5 Kf5-e4 89.Ke7-e6 Ke4-f3 90.Ke6-d5 Kf3-g2 91.Kd5-e4 Kg2-h1 6.10/21 ] 73.Kd4-e5 [ 73.Kd4-e5 Be4-c2 74.Bf8-b4+- ; Houdini annotates: 73.Kd4-e5 Be4-d3 74.Ng7xf5 Kd7-e8 75.Bf8-h6 Ke8-f7 76.Nf5-d6+ Kf7-g6 77.Bh6-f8 Kg6-h5 78.f4-f5 Bd3-c2 79.Ke5-e6 Bc2-b3+ 80.Ke6-e7 Kh5-g5 81.f5-f6 Kg5-f4 82.f6-f7 Bb3xf7 83.Nd6xf7 Kf4-g3 84.Ke7-e6 Kg3-h2 85.Ke6-e5 Kh2-h1 86.Ke5-e4 Kh1-g2 87.Bf8-e7 Kg2-h1 88.Ke4-f3 6.06/21 ] 1-0

10 10

E15 E15

Veselin Topalov Levon Aronian Corus Wijk aan Zee (10)

25.01.2006

E15: Queen's Indian: 4 g3 sidelines, 4 g3 Ba6 and 4 g3 Bb7 early deviations 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Ng1-f3 b7-b6 4.g2-g3 Bc8-a6 5.b2-b3 Bf8-b4+ 6.Bc1-d2 Bb4-e7 7.Bf1-g2 c7-c6 8.Bd2-c3 d7-d5 9.Nf3-e5 Nf6-d7 10.Ne5xd7 Nb8xd7 11.Nb1-d2 0-0 12.0-0 Nd7-f6 13.e2-e4 b6-b5 14.e4xd5 e6xd5 15.Rf1-e1 Ra8-b8 16.c4-c5 Ba6-c8 17.Nd2-f3 Nf6-e4 18.Re1xe4 d5xe4 19.Nf3-e5 Qd8-d5 20.Qd1-e1 Bc8-f5 last book move 21.g3-g4 [Houdini 2. 0c : 21.f2-f3 e4-e3 22.Qe1xe3 f7-f6 23.Ne5xc6 Qd5xc6 24.Qe3xe7 Rb8-e8 25.Qe7xa7 Re8-e2 26.Qa7-a5 Rf8-a8 27.Qa5-b4 Ra8xa2 28.Ra1xa2 Re2xa2 29.Bc3-d2 Qc6-d5 30.Qb4-c3 Bf5-e6 31.b3-b4 Qd5-c6 32.Qc3-d3 0.19/14 ] 21...Bf5-g6 [Houdini annotates : 21...Bf5-g6 22.Ne5xg6 h7xg6 23.Qe1xe4 Qd5xe4 24.Bg2xe4 b5-b4 25.Bc3-b2 Rf8-c8 26.Bb2-c1 g6-g5 27.Kg1-g2 Rb8-b7 28.Bc1-e3 Be7-f6 29.a2-a3 Diagram (Diagram 55) b4xa3 30.Ra1xa3 Rb7-e7 31.Be4-f5 Rc8-b8 32.Ra3-a6 -0.11/17 ] 22.f2-f3 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Ne5xg6 h7xg6 23.Qe1xe4 Qd5xe4 24.Bg2xe4 b5-b4 25.Bc3-b2 Rf8-c8 26.Bb2-c1 g6-g5 27.Kg1-g2 Rc8-c7 28.a2-a3 Be7-f6 29.Bc1-b2 Rb8-e8 30.f2-f3 Re8-d8 31.a3xb4 Bf6xd4 32.Ra1-d1

Levon Aronian's Best Games -0.15/16 ] 22...b5-b4 [Houdini annotates : 22...Rb8-c8 23.f3xe4 Qd5-d8 24.Ra1-d1 Be7-f6 25.Ne5xg6 f7xg6 26.Qe1-e2 Bf6-h4 27.Bg2-f3 Qd8-f6

112

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+k+0{ 9zpr+-+pzp-0 55 9-+p+-vl-+0 9+-zP-+-zp-0 9-zp-zPL+P+0 9zPP+-vL-+-0 9-+-+-zPKzP0 9tR-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 28.Rd1-f1 Qf6-e6 29.e4-e5 Bh4-g5 30.Kg1-g2 Rc8-d8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-trk+0 9zp-+-+-zpp0 56 9-+p+q+p+0 9+pzP-zP-vl-0 9-+-zP-+P+0 9+PvL-+L+-0 9P+-+Q+KzP0 9+-+-+R+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 31.d4-d5 -0.16/14 ] 23.f3xe4 last book move [Houdini annotates: 23.f3xe4 Qd5-e6 24.Bc3-b2 h7-h6 25.Qe1-e2 Bg6-h7 26.Qe2-c4 Qe6xc4 27.Ne5xc4 Rb8-c8 28.e4-e5 Rc8-c7 29.Nc4-a5 Rf8-c8 30.a2-a3 b4xa3 31.Ra1xa3 Kg8-f8 32.Na5xc6 Rc7xc6 33.Bg2xc6 Rc8xc6 34.Ra3xa7 -0.07/15 ] 23...Qd5-e6 [Houdini annotates

113 : 23...Qd5-e6 24.Bc3-b2 a7-a6 25.Qe1-f2 Qe6-c8 26.Qf2-f3 h7-h6 27.Ra1-f1 Kg8-h7 -0.01/16 ] 24.Bc3-b2 [Worse is 24.Bc3xb4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Be7-f6 25.Bb4-c3 Bf6xe5 26.d4xe5 Be7-f6 25.Bb4-c3 Bf6xe5 26.d4xe5 Qe6xg4µ ;Houdini annotates: 24.Bc3-b2 h7-h6 25.Qe1-e2 Bg6-h7 26.Qe2-c4 Qe6xc4 27.Ne5xc4 Rb8-c8 28.Nc4-d6 Rc8-c7 29.e4-e5 Be7-g5 30.Bb2-c1 Rf8-d8 31.Bc1xg5 h6xg5 32.Ra1-f1 Bh7-d3 -0.06/15 ] 24...Be7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 24...h7-h6 25.Qe1-f2 Qe6-c8 26.a2-a3 Be7-f6 27.Ne5xg6 f7xg6 28.Qf2g3 b4xa3 29.Ra1xa3 Qc8-d7 30.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 31.Bg2-f1 Be7-g5 32.Bf1c4+ Kg8-h7 33.Ra3-a1 -0.08/13 ] 25.Ne5xc6 [Houdini annotates: 25.Ne5xc6 Qe6xc6 26.e4-e5 Qc6-b5 27.e5xf6 Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-g3 Qb5-e2 29.Qg3-f2 Qe2xg4 30.h2-h3 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 Re8xe5 34.d4xe5 g7xf6 35.e5xf6 Qh5xc5 36.Qf2xc5 Rc8xc5 37.Ra1-d1 h7-h6 38.Rd1-d2 Kg8-h7 39.Kg1-h2 Bg6-f5 40.Kh2-g3 Rc5-c3+ 41.Bg2-f3 Bf5-e4 -0.01/18 ] 25...Qe6xc6 White has a new protected passed pawn: c5 [ Houdini annotates: 25...Qe6xc6 26.e4-e5 Qc6-b5 27.e5xf6 Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-g3 Qb5-e2 29.Qg3-f2 Qe2xg4 30.h2-h3 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 g7xf6 34.Qf2xf6 Re8xe5 35.d4xe5 Rc8xc5 36.Ra1-e1 Rc5-c8 37.Kg1-h2 Qh5-f5 38.Re1-d1 Qf5-c2 39.Rd1d8+ Rc8xd8 40.Qf6xd8+ Kg8g7 41.Qd8-f6+ Kg7-g8 42.Qf6-f4 Qc2xa2 43.Qf4xb4 0.13/18 ] 26.e4-e5 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 26.e4-e5 Qc6-b5 27.e5xf6 Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-g3 Qb5-e2 29.Qg3-f2 Qe2xg4 30.h2-h3 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4

114 Rb8-c8 33.a2-a3 b4xa3 34.f6xg7 Re8-e2 35.Qf2-g3 Bg6-e4 36.Bg2-f1 a3-a2 37.Bf1xe2 Qh5xe2 38.Bf4-e5 0.03/15 ] White threatens to win material: e5xf6

115

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-trk+0{ 9zp-+-+pzpp0 57 9-+q+-vll+0 9+-zP-zP-+-0 9-zp-zP-+P+0 9+P+-+-+-0 9PvL-+-+LzP0 9tR-+-wQ-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 26...Qc6-a6 [Houdini annotates: 26...Qc6-b5 27.e5xf6 Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-g3 Qb5-e2 29.Qg3-f2 Qe2xg4 30.h2-h3 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 Re8xe5 34.d4xe5 g7xf6 35.Qf2xf6 Rc8xc5 36.Ra1-e1 Rc5-c8 37.e5-e6 Qh5-c5+ 38.Kg1-h1 Qc5-c3 39.e6xf7+ Bg6xf7 40.Qf6-h4 a7-a5 41.Re1-g1 Bf7-g6 42.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-g7 43.Qh4-e7+ Kg7-h8 0.13/16 ] 27.e5xf6 [ Houdini annotates: 27.e5xf6 Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-f1 Qa6-e6 29.d4-d5 Qe6xg4 30.Qf1-f3 Qg4-g5 31.Ra1-f1 Bg6-e4 32.Qf3-g3 Qg5xg3 33.h2xg3 Be4xg2 34.Kg1xg2 Rb8-c8 35.Bb2-d4 Re8-e4 36.Rf1-d1 Re4-e2+ 37.Kg2-f3 Re2xa2 38.d5-d6 Ra2-a3 39.d6-d7 Ra3xb3+ 40.Kf3-e4 Rc8-f8 41.f6xg7 Rf8-d8 0.17/17 ] 27...Rf8-e8 Black threatens to win material: Re8xe1 [Houdini annotates: 27...Rf8-e8 28.Qe1-f1 Qa6-e6 29.d4-d5 Qe6xg4 30.Qf1-f3 Qg4-g5 31.Ra1-f1 Bg6-e4 32.Qf3-g3 Qg5xg3 33.h2xg3 Be4xg2 34.Kg1xg2 Rb8-c8 35.Bb2-d4 Re8-e4 36.Rf1-d1 Re4-e2+ 37.Kg2-f3 Re2xa2

38.f6xg7 Ra2-a3 39.Rd1-d3 f7-f6 40.Rd3-e3 Kg8xg7 41.Re3-e7+ Kg7-g6 0.23/16 ] 28.Qe1-f1

Levon Aronian's Best Games White threatens to win material: Qf1xa6 [Houdini annotates: 28.Qe1-f1 White threatens to win material: Qf1xa6 [Houdini annotates: 28.Qe1-f1 Qa6-e2 29.Qf1xe2 Re8xe2 30.Bb2c1 g7xf6 31.Bc1-f4 Rb8-e8 32.Bg2c6 Re2-e1+ 33.Ra1xe1 Re8xe1+ 34.Kg1-f2 Re1-a1 35.d4-d5 Bg6-e4 36.Kf2-e3 Be4-g2 37.Bf4-h6 Ra1xa2 38.Bc6-b7 Bg2-h1 39.Bh6-f4 Kg8-f8 40.Bb7-c6 Ra2-b2 41.Bf4h6+ Kf8-g8 0.02/18 ] 28...Qa6-e2 Black threatens to win material: Qe2xb2 [Houdini annotates: 28...Qa6-e6 29.f6xg7 Qe6xg4 30.Qf1-f3 Qg4-g5 31.Ra1-f1 Bg6-h5 32.Qf3-f6 Qg5xf6 33.Rf1xf6 Re8-e1+ 34.Rf6-f1 Re1xf1+ 35.Bg2xf1 Rb8-c8 36.Bf1-a6 Rc8-c6 37.Ba6-b5 Rc6-g6+ 38.Kg1-f2 Rg6-f6+ 39.Kf2-e3 Rf6-e6+ 40.Ke3-f4 Kg8xg7 0.31/15 ] 29.Qf1-f2 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Qf1xe2 Re8xe2 30.Bb2-c1 g7xf6 31.Bc1-f4 Rb8-e8 32.Bg2-c6 Re2-e1+ 33.Ra1xe1 Re8xe1+ 34.Kg1-f2 Re1-a1 35.d4-d5 Bg6-e4 36.Kf2-e3 Be4-g2 37.Bf4-h6 Ra1xa2 38.Bc6-b7 Bg2-h1 39.Bh6-f4 Kg8-f8 40.Bb7-c6 Ra2-b2 41.Bf4-h6+ Kf8-g8 0.20/15 ] 29...Qe2xg4 [Houdini annotates: 29...Qe2xg4 30.h2-h3 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Qf2-g3 g7xf6 34.Ra1-f1 Qh5-e2 35.Qg3-f2 Qe2-h5 36.Bf4-d6 Bg6-e4 37.Qf2-g3+ Kg8-h8 38.Qg3-f4 Be4xg2 39.Qf4xf6+ Kh8-g8 40.Kg1xg2 Re8-e2+ 41.Rf1-f2 Qh5-d5+ 42.Kg2-g3 Re2xf2 43.Qf6xf2 Qd5-g5+ 44.Kg3-h2 0.14/17 ] 30.h2-h3 White threatens to win material: h3xg4 [ Houdini annotates: 30.h2-h3

116 Qg4-g5 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.c5-c6 Bg6-e4 34.c6-c7 Be4xg2 35.Qf2xg2 g7-g6 36.d4-d5 Re8-e2 37.Qg2-g4 Qh5xg4+ 38.h3xg4 Kg8-f8 39.Bf4-g3 Kf8-e8 40.a2-a3 b4xa3 41.Ra1xa3 Ke8-d7 42.Ra3xa7

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re2-e3 43.Kg1-g2 Re3xb3 44.g4-g5 Rb3-d3 45.d5-d6 0.01/17 ] 30...Qg4-g5 Black threatens to win material: Qg5xf6 [Houdini annotates: 30...Qg4-h5 31.d4-d5 Re8-e2 32.Qf2-f4 Re2xg2+ 33.Kg1xg2 Qh5xd5+ 34.Kg2-g3 Rb8-e8 35.Ra1-e1 Bg6-e4 36.f6xg7 Qd5xc5 37.Re1xe4 Qc5-g1+ 38.Kg3-h4 Re8xe4 39.Qf4xe4 Qg1-f2+ 40.Kh4-h5 Qf2xb2 41.Qe4-e7 Qb2xg7 42.Qe7-d8+ Qg7-f8 43.Qd8-g5+ Kg8-h8 44.Qg5-f6+ Kh8-g8 45.Qf6-g5+ Kg8-h8 0.07/15 ] 31.Bb2-c1 [Houdini annotates: 31.Bb2-c1 Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.c5-c6 Bg6-e4 34.c6-c7 Be4xg2 35.Qf2xg2 g7-g6 36.d4-d5 Re8-e2 37.Qg2-g4 Qh5xg4+ 38.h3xg4 Kg8-f8 39.Bf4-g3 Kf8-e8 40.a2-a3 b4xa3 41.Ra1xa3 Ke8-d7 42.Ra3xa7 Re2-e3 43.Kg1-g2 Re3xb3 44.g4-g5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+-+0{ 9tR-zPk+p+p0 58 9-+-+-zPp+0 9+-+P+-zP-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+r+-+-vL-0 9-+-+-+K+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Rb3-d3 45.d5-d6 0.01/16 ] 31...Qg5-h5 [Houdini annotates: 31...Qg5-h5 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 Re8xe5 34.d4xe5 g7xf6

117 35.e5xf6 Qh5xc5 36.Qf2xc5 Rc8xc5 37.a2-a3 b4xa3 38.Ra1xa3 Rc5-f5 39.Ra3xa7 Rf5xf6 40.Kg1-h2 Rf6-d6 41.b3-b4 Rd6-d2 42.Kh2-g3 Rd2-b2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-g7 44.Ra8-b8 43.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-g7 44.Ra8-b8 Rb2-b3+ 45.Kg3-f4 0.08/16 ] 32.Bc1-f4 [Houdini annotates: 32.Bc1-f4 Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 Re8xe5 34.d4xe5 g7xf6 35.e5xf6 Qh5xc5 36.Qf2xc5 Rc8xc5 37.a2-a3 b4xa3 38.Ra1xa3 Rc5-f5 39.Ra3xa7 Rf5xf6 40.Kg1-h2 Rf6-d6 41.b3-b4 Rd6-d2 42.Kh2-g3 Rd2-b2 43.Ra7a8+ Kg8-g7 44.Ra8-b8 Rb2b3+ 45.Kg3-f4 0.11/15 ] 32...Rb8-d8 [ ¹32...Rb8-c8!?= is an interesting idea ;Houdini annotates: 32...Rb8-c8 33.Bf4-e5 g7xf6 34.Qf2xf6 Re8xe5 35.d4xe5 Rc8xc5 36.Ra1-e1 Rc5-c8 37.Kg1-h2 Bg6-f5 38.Re1-g1 Rc8-c2 39.Qf6-d8+ Kg8-g7 40.Qd8f6+ Kg7-g8 41.Qf6-d8+ 0.19/14 ] 33.c5-c6± [Houdini annotates: 33.c5-c6 Bg6-e4 34.c6-c7 Rd8-c8 35.Ra1-e1 Qh5-f5 36.Bf4-g3 Qf5-g6 37.f6xg7 Be4xg2 38.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 39.Qf2xg2 Qg6-b6 40.Bg3-e5 Qb6-e6 41.Qg2-f3 Qe6-g6+ 42.Kg1-h2 Re8-c8 43.Qf3-d5 Qg6-c2+ 44.Kh2-g1 Qc2-c1+ 45.Kg1-f2 Qc1-c2+ 46.Kf2-g3 Qc2-g6+ 47.Kg3-h2 Qg6-c2+ 0.56/15 ] 33...Bg6-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 33...Re8-e2 34.c6-c7 Rd8-c8 35.Qf2-f3 Re2-c2 36.Qf3xh5 Bg6xh5 37.Ra1-e1 g7xf6 38.Re1-e7 Kg8-h8 39.Bg2-b7 Rc8-g8+ 40.Kg1-f1 Kh8-g7 41.d4-d5 Bh5-f3 42.Re7-e3 Bf3-g2+ 43.Kf1-g1 Kg7-h8 44.Re3-g3 Rg8xg3 45.Bf4xg3 Bg2xh3 0.51/14 ] 34.c6-c7 [ Houdini annotates: 34.c6-c7 Rd8-c8 35.Ra1-e1 Qh5-f5 36.Bf4-g3 Qf5-g6 37.f6xg7 Be4xg2 38.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 39.Qf2xg2 Qg6-b6 40.Bg3e5

118 Qb6-e6 41.Qg2-f3 Qe6-g6+ 42.Kg1-h2 Re8-c8 43.Qf3-d5 Qg6-c2+ 44.Kh2-g1 Qc2-g6+ 45.Kg1-f2 Qg6-c2+ 46.Kf2-f3 Qc2-f5+ 47.Kf3-g2 Qf5-g5+ 48.Kg2-f1 Qg5-f5+ 49.Kf1-g2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qf5-g5+ 0.56/18 ] 34...Rd8-c8 [ Houdini annotates: 34...Rd8-c8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+r+k+0 9zp-zP-+pzpp0 59 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+q0 9-zp-zPlvL-+0 9+P+-+-+P0 9P+-+-wQL+0 9tR-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 35.Ra1-e1 Qh5-f5 36.Bf4-g3 Qf5-g6 37.f6xg7 Be4xg2 38.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 39.Qf2xg2 Qg6-b6 40.Bg3-e5 Qb6-e6 41.Qg2-f3 Qe6-d7 42.Qf3-h5 Qd7-e6 43.Kg1-h2 Re8-c8 44.Qh5-f3 Qe6-g6 45.Qf3-d5 Qg6-c2+ 46.Kh2-g1 Qc2-g6+ 47.Kg1-f2 Qg6-c2+ 48.Kf2-g3 Qc2-g6+ 49.Kg3-h2 Qg6-c2+ 1.03/18 ] 35.Ra1-e1 White threatens to win material: Re1xe4 [Houdini annotates: 35.Ra1-e1 Qh5-f5 36.Bf4-g3 Qf5-g6 37.f6xg7 Be4xg2 38.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 39.Qf2xg2 Qg6-b6 40.Bg3-e5 Re8-c8 41.Kg1-f2 Qb6-e6 42.Qg2-f3 Qe6-g6 43.h3-h4 Qg6-c2+ 44.Kf2-e3 Rc8xc7 45.Be5xc7 Qc2xc7 46.Qf3-g4 h7-h5 47.Qg4-g2 Qc7-e7+ 48.Ke3-f4 Qe7-f6+ 49.Kf4-e4 Qf6xg7 50.Qg2xg7+ Kg8xg7 0.60/17 ] 35...Qh5-g6? [ 35...Be4xg2 36.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 37.Qf2xg2 Qh5-d1+ 38.Kg1-h2 g7-g6+- ; Houdini annotates: 35...Qh5-f5

119 36.Bf4-g3 Qf5-g6 37.f6xg7 Be4xg2 38.Re1xe8+ Rc8xe8 39.Qf2xg2 Qg6-b6 40.Bg3-e5 Qb6-e6 41.Qg2-f3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8-c8 42.Kg1-g2 f7-f6 43.Be5-g3 Re8-c8 42.Kg1-g2 f7-f6 43.Be5-g3 Qe6-a6 44.Qf3-d5+ Kg8xg7 45.Qd5-d7+ Kg7-h8 46.Kg2-f3 Qa6-d3+ 47.Kf3-f4 0.78/13 ] 36.Re1xe4+- [Houdini annotates: 36.Re1xe4 Re8xe4 37.d4-d5 Re4-e8 38.d5-d6 Qg6-f5 39.Bg2-c6 Re8-d8 40.c7xd8Q+ Rc8xd8 41.f6xg7 Qf5xh3 42.d6-d7 Qh3-g4+ 43.Kg1-f1 Qg4-g6 44.Bc6-a4 Kg8xg7 45.Qf2-d4+ Qg6-f6 46.Qd4xb4 Qf6-a1+ 47.Kf1-g2 Qa1xa2+ 48.Kg2-g3 Qa2-b2 49.Ba4-c6 h7-h5 2.18/14 ] 36...Re8xe4 [Houdini annotates: 36...Re8xe4 37.d4-d5 Re4-e8 38.d5-d6 Qg6-b1+ 39.Kg1-h2 Qb1-f5 40.f6xg7 h7-h5 41.Qf2-d4 Qf5-d7 42.Qd4xa7 f7-f6 43.Qa7-d4 Kg8xg7 44.Bg2-f3 Re8-e1 45.Qd4-d2 Re1-a1 46.Bf3xh5 Rc8-g8 47.Qd2-c2 Kg7-h8 48.Bh5-g4 1.54/12 ] 37.d4-d5 White pawn structure improved [Houdini annotates: 37.d4-d5 Re4-e8 38.d5-d6 Qg6-b1+ 39.Kg1-h2 Qb1-d1 40.f6xg7 Re8-e6 41.Qf2xa7 Kg8xg7 42.Qa7-c5 h7-h6 43.Qc5xb4 Qd1-d3 44.Bf4-g3 Re6-g6 45.Qb4-f4 Rc8-e8 46.b3-b4 h6-h5 47.a2-a4 Kg7-f8 48.a4-a5 1.40/13 ] 37...Rc8-e8?? [ ¹37...Re4-e8 the rescuing straw 38.d5-d6 Qg6-b1+ 39.Kg1-h2 Qb1-f5 40.f6xg7 h7-h6+( 40...Kg8xg7?? 41.Qf2-d4+ f7-f6 42.d6-d7+- );Houdini annotates: 37...Re4-e8 38.d5-d6 Qg6-b1+ 39.Kg1-h2 Qb1-f5 40.f6xg7 h7-h5 41.Qf2-d4 Qf5-d7 42.Qd4xa7 f7-f6 43.Qa7-d4 Kg8xg7 44.Bg2-f3 Re8-e1 45.Qd4-d2 Re1-a1 46.Bf3xh5 Rc8-g8 47.Qd2-c2 Kg7-h8 48.Bh5-g4 1.48/14 ] 38.d5-d6+- [Houdini annotates: 38.d5-d6 Re8-a8 39.d6-d7 Re4-e8 40.Qf2xa7 Qg6-f5 41.d7xe8Q+ Ra8xe8 42.Qa7-b8 Re8-c8

120 43.f6xg7 Kg8xg7 44.Qb8xb4 Qf5-e6 45.a2-a4 f7-f6 46.a4-a5 Kg7-f7 47.Qb4-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qe6-e2 48.Qc5-f5 Qe2-e1+ 49.Kg1-h2 Qe1-e6 50.Bg2-d5 6.42/13 ] 38...Re4-e1+ [ 38...Re8-f8 doesn't improve anything 39.d6-d7 Re4-e8 40.Qf2-c5+- ;Houdini annotates: 38...Re8-a8 39.d6-d7 Re4-e8 40.Qf2xa7 Qg6-d3 41.d7xe8Q+ Ra8xe8 42.Qa7-c5 Qd3-d7 43.f6xg7 h7-h5 44.Qc5xb4 Kg8xg7 45.a2-a4 Qd7-e6 46.a4-a5 h5-h4 47.Qb4-c5 Qe6-f6 48.Qc5-g5+ Qf6xg5 49.Bf4xg5 Re8-c8 50.Bg5-f4 Kg7-f6 51.a5-a6 Kf6-f5 6.48/14 ] 39.Kg1-h2 [ Houdini annotates: 39.Kg1-h2 Qg6-f5 40.Qf2-g3 g7-g6 41.Qg3-g5 Re1-d1 42.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 45.Bf4xc7 h7-h6 46.d7-d8Q+ Rd1xd8 47.Bc7xd8 Kg8-h7 48.Kh2-g3 Kh7-g6 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 50.Bc6-d7 h5-h4 51.Bd7xf5+ Kg6-h5 52.Bd8-a5 a7-a6 53.Ba5xb4 Kh5-h6 10.27/13 ] 39...Qg6-f5 [ 39...Qg6xf6?? taking the pawn is naive 40.d6-d7 Re1-e6 41.c7-c8Q+- ; Houdini annotates: 39...Qg6-f5 40.Qf2-g3 g7-g6 41.Qg3-g5 Re1-d1 42.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 45.Bf4xc7 h7-h6 46.d7-d8Q+ Rd1xd8 47.Bc7xd8 Kg8-h7 48.Kh2-g3 Kh7-g6 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 50.Bc6-d7 h5-h4 51.Bd7xf5+ Kg6-h5 52.Bd8-a5 a7-a6 53.Ba5xb4 Kh5-h6 10.27/14 ] 40.Qf2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 40.Qf2-g3 g7-g6 41.Qg3-g5 Re1-d1 42.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 45.Bf4xc7 h7-h6 46.d7-d8Q+ Rd1xd8 47.Bc7xd8 Kg8-h7 48.Kh2-g3 Kh7-g6 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 50.Bc6-d7 h5-h4 51.Bd7xf5+ Kg6-h5 52.Bd8-a5 a7-a6 53.Ba5xb4 Kh5-h6 10.07/14 ] 40...g7-g6 [ 40...Qf5xf6?? Black will

121 choke on that pawn 41.d6-d7 Qf6-d4 42.d7xe8Q+ Re1xe8 43.Bf4-e5 Qd4xe5 44.Qg3xe5+- ;Houdini 2.0c

Levon Aronian's Best Games : 40...g7-g6 41.Qg3-g5 : 40...g7-g6 41.Qg3-g5 Re1-d1 42.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 45.Bf4xc7 h7-h6 46.d7-d8Q+ Rd1xd8 47.Bc7xd8 Kg8-h7 48.Kh2-g3 Kh7-g6 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 50.Bc6-d7 h5-h4 51.Bd7xf5+ Kg6-h5 52.Bd8-a5 a7-a6 53.Ba5xb4 Kh5-h6 10.27/15 ] 41.Qg3-g5 [ Houdini annotates: 41.Qg3-g5 Qf5xg5 42.Bf4xg5 Re1-d1 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.Bg5-f4 h7-h5 45.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 46.Bf4xc7 Rd1xd7 47.Bc6xd7 Kg8-h7 48.Bc7-a5 a7-a6 49.Ba5xb4 h5-h4 50.Bb4-d2 Kh7-h8 51.Bd7-c8 a6-a5 52.Bd2xa5 9.80/14 ] 41...Qf5xg5 [Houdini annotates: 41...Re1-d1 42.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.d6-d7 Rc8xc7 45.Bf4xc7 h7-h6 46.d7-d8Q+ Rd1xd8 47.Bc7xd8 Kg8-h7 48.Kh2-g3 Kh7-g6 49.Kg3-f4 h6-h5 50.Bc6-d7 h5-h4 51.Bd7xf5+ Kg6-h6 52.Bd8-a5 Kh6-h5 53.Ba5xb4 a7-a6 54.Bf5-e4 10.47/15 ] 42.Bf4xg5 [Houdini annotates: 42.Bf4xg5 Re1-d1 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.Bg5-f4 Rc8-f8 45.d6-d7 Rd1xd7 46.Bc6xd7 h7-h5 47.Bf4-d6 Rf8-a8 48.c7-c8Q+ Ra8xc8 49.Bd7xc8 Kg8-h7 50.Bd6xb4 Kh7-h6 51.Bc8-d7 g6-g5 52.Bd7-f5 h5-h4 53.Kh2-g2 Kh6-h5 54.Kg2-f3 g5-g4+ 55.Bf5xg4+ Kh5-g5 56.Bb4-e7 Kg5-g6 57.Kf3-f4 Kg6-h6 58.Bg4-e2 Kh6-g6 59.Kf4-g4 Kg6-h6 60.Kg4xh4 a7-a5 61.Kh4-g4 10.23/18 ] 42...Re1-d1 [Houdini annotates : 42...Re1-d1 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-c8 44.Bg5-f4 Rc8-f8 45.d6-d7 Rd1xd7 46.Bc6xd7 h7-h5 47.c7-c8Q Rf8xc8 48.Bd7xc8 h5-h4 49.Kh2-g2 Kg8-f8 50.Bf4-d6+ Kf8-g8 51.Bd6xb4 Kg8-h7 52.Bb4-d2 Kh7-g8 53.Bd2-g5 Kg8-f8 54.Bg5xh4 Kf8-g8 55.Bh4-f2

122 Kg8-f8 56.Bc8-a6 Kf8-e8 57.Bf2xa7 Ke8-d7 58.Ba6-c4 Kd7-e8 59.Ba7-e3 9.34/20 ] 43.Bg2-c6 [Houdini annotates

123

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 43.Bg2-c6 Re8-f8 44.d6-d7 Rd1xd7 45.Bc6xd7 a7-a5 46.c7-c8Q Rf8xc8 47.Bd7xc8 Kg8-f8 48.Bc8-d7 Kf8-g8 49.Kh2-g3 h7-h5 50.Bg5-e3 Kg8-h7 51.Be3-f4 Kh7-g8 52.Bf4-c7 Kg8-h7 53.Bc7xa5 Kh7-h6 54.Ba5xb4 Kh6-g5 55.Bb4-e7 h5-h4+ 56.Kg3-f3 Kg5-h5 57.a2-a4 8.65/16 ] 43...Re8-e2+ [ 43...Re8-f8 is one last hope 44.d6-d7 Rd1xd7 45.Bc6xd7 Kg8-h8+- ;Houdini annotates: 43...Re8-c8 44.Bg5-f4 Rc8-f8 45.d6-d7 Rd1xd7 46.Bc6xd7 h7-h5 47.c7-c8Q Rf8xc8 48.Bd7xc8 h5-h4 49.Kh2-g2 Kg8-f8 50.Bf4-d6+ Kf8-g8 51.Bd6xb4 Kg8-h7 52.Bb4-d2 Kh7-g8 53.Bd2-g5 Kg8-f8 54.Bg5xh4 Kf8-e8 55.Bh4-f2 Ke8-d8 56.Bc8-a6 Kd8-d7 57.Bf2xa7 Kd7-e6 58.Ba7-d4 8.80/17 ] 44.Kh2-g3 Diagram [ 44.Kh2-g3 Rd1-d3+ 45.Kg3-f4 Rd3-d4+ 46.Kf4-f3 Re2-e8 47.Bc6xe8 h7-h6 48.c7-c8Q h6xg5 49.Be8-c6+ Kg8-h7 50.Qc8-f8 Rd4-f4+ 51.Kf3-e3 Rf4xf6 52.d6-d7 Rf6-e6+ 53.Ke3-d2 Re6-d6+ 54.Qf8xd6 a7-a5 55.d7-d8Q a5-a4 56.Bc6xa4 g5-g4 57.Qd8-h4+ Kh7-g7 58.Qd6-f6+ Kg7-g8 59.Qh4-h8# ; Houdini annotates: 44.Kh2-g3 Rd1-d3+ 45.Kg3-f4 h7-h6 46.c7-c8Q+ Kg8-h7 47.Bg5xh6 Re2-f2+ 48.Kf4-g4 Rf2-f1 49.Bh6-g7 Rd3-d4+ 50.Kg4-g3 g6-g5 51.d6-d7 Rf1-e1 52.d7-d8Q Re1-e3+ 53.Bc6-f3 Rd4xd8 54.Qc8xd8 a7-a6 55.Qd8-h8+ Kh7-g6 56.Qh8-h5+ Kg6-f5 57.Qh5xf7 a6-a5 58.Qf7-d5+ Kf5-g6 59.f6-f7 g5-g4 60.Kg3xg4 Kg6xg7 61.Qd5-g5+ Kg7xf7 62.Bf3-d5+ Re3-e6 63.Qg5-f5+ Kf7-e7 64.Bd5xe6 Ke7-d6 65.Qf5-d5+ Kd6-e7 15.07/14 ] 1-0

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9zp-zP-+p+p0 60 9-+LzP-zPp+0 9+-+-+-vL-0 9-zp-+-+-+0 9+P+-+-mKP0 9P+-+r+-+0 9+-+r+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 11 Etienne Bacrot Levon Aronian Linares 2006 (7)

E21

26.02.2006

E20: Nimzo-Indian: 4 g3 and 4 f3 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.Ng1-f3 c7-c5 5.g2-g3 Nf6-e4 6.Qd1-d3 Qd8-a5 7.Qd3xe4 Bb4xc3+ 8.Bc1-d2 Bc3xd2+ 9.Nf3xd2 Nb8-c6 10.d4xc5 b7-b6 11.Bf1-g2 Bc8-b7 12.Qe4-f4 b6xc5 13.Qf4-d6 Qa5-b6 14.Nd2-e4 Nc6-d4 15.Qd6xb6 a7xb6 16.Ne4-d6+ Ke8-e7 17.Bg2xb7 Nd4-c2+ 18.Ke1-d2 Nc2xa1 19.Nd6xf7 last book move. last book move Ra8xa2 [Houdini annotates: 19...Na1-b3+ 20.Kd2-c3 Ke7xf7 21.Bb7xa8 Rh8xa8 22.Kc3xb3 d7-d5 23.a2-a3 Ra8-d8 24.Rh1-e1 Kf7-f6 25.Kb3-c3 d5xc4 26.Kc3xc4 Rd8-d2 27.Kc4-c3 Rd2-d8 28.Re1-c1 Kf6-f5 29.f2-f3 g7-g5 30.a3-a4 Kf5-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 0.38/17 ] 20.Nf7xh8 [Houdini annotates: 20.Nf7xh8 Ra2xb2+ 21.Kd2-d3 Rb2-b3+ 22.Kd3-e4 Na1-c2 23.Ke4-f4 Rb3-c3 24.Kf4-g5 Rc3xc4 25.Bb7-a6

124

Levon Aronian's Best Games h7-h6+ 26.Kg5-h5 Rc4-a4 27.Nh8-g6+ Ke7-d8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-mk-+-+0 9+-+p+-zp-0 61 9Lzp-+p+Nzp0 9+-zp-+-+K0 9r+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-+n+PzP-zP0 9+-+-+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 28.Rh1-c1 Nc2-d4 29.Ba6-d3 Ra4-a2 30.Rc1-b1 Kd8-c7 31.Ng6-f4 g7-g5 32.Nf4-g6 Nd4xe2 33.Kh5xh6 Ne2-d4 34.Kh6xg5 Ra2xf2 35.h2-h3 d7-d5 36.Rb1-f1 0.26/19 ] 20...Ra2xb2+ [ Houdini annotates: 20...Ra2xb2+ 21.Kd2-d3 Rb2-b3+ 22.Kd3-e4 Na1-c2 23.Rh1-d1 Nc2-a3 24.Rd1-d3 Na3xc4 25.Rd3xb3 Nc4-d2+ 26.Ke4-d3 Nd2xb3 27.Kd3-c3 Nb3-d4 28.Bb7-a6 d7-d5 29.e2-e3 Nd4-f3 30.h2-h4 c5-c4 31.Ba6-b7 b6-b5 32.Bb7-a6 Nf3-e5 33.Ba6xb5 Ne5-g4 34.e3-e4 Ng4xf2 35.e4xd5 e6xd5 36.Kc3-d4 Ke7-e6 37.Bb5-c6 0.31/20 ] 21.Kd2-d3 [Houdini annotates: 21.Kd2-d3 Rb2-b3+ 22.Kd3-e4 Na1-c2 23.Rh1-d1 Nc2-a3 24.Rd1-d3 Na3xc4 25.Rd3xb3 Nc4-d2+ 26.Ke4-d3 Nd2xb3 27.Kd3-c3 Nb3-d4 28.Bb7-a6 d7-d5 29.e2-e3 Nd4-f3 30.h2-h4 c5-c4 31.Ba6-b7 b6-b5 32.Bb7-a6 Nf3-e5 33.Ba6xb5 Ne5-g4 34.e3-e4 Ng4xf2 35.e4xd5 e6xd5 36.Kc3-d4 Ke7-e6 0.28/18 ]

125 21...Rb2-b3+ [Houdini annotates: 21...Rb2-b3+ 22.Kd3-e4 Na1-c2 23.Rh1-d1 Nc2-a3 24.Rd1-d3 Na3xc4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25.Rd3xb3 Nc4-d2+ 26.Ke4-d3 25.Rd3xb3 Nc4-d2+ 26.Ke4-d3 Nd2xb3 27.Kd3-c3 Nb3-d4 28.Bb7a6 d7-d5 29.e2-e3 Nd4-f3 30.h2-h4 c5-c4 31.Ba6-b7 b6-b5 32.Bb7-a6 Nf3-e5 33.Ba6xb5 Ne5-g4 34.e3-e4 Ng4xf2 35.e4xd5 e6xd5 36.Kc3-d4 Ke7-e6 0.36/17 ] 22.Kd3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Kd3-e4 Na1-c2 23.Rh1-c1 Rb3-b2 24.e2-e3 Nc2-b4 25.f2-f4 Rb2xh2 26.Rc1-a1 Rh2-c2 27.Ra1-h1 Rc2xc4+ 28.Ke4f3 h7-h6 29.Nh8-g6+ Ke7-d8 30.Rh1d1 d7-d5 31.Ng6-e5 Rc4-c3 32.Rd1a1 c5-c4 33.Ra1-a7 Rc3-b3 34.Bb7-c6 0.48/17 ] 22...Na1-c2 [Houdini annotates : 22...Na1-c2 23.Rh1-c1 Rb3-b2 24.e2-e3 Nc2-b4 25.f2-f4 Rb2xh2 26.Rc1-b1 g7-g6 27.Rb1-d1 Nb4-a2 28.Ke4-f3 Na2-c3 29.Rd1-c1 Nc3-a4 30.Bb7-e4 Na4-b2 31.Be4-b1 Rh2-h3 0.40/17 ] 23.e2-e3 [ ¹23.Rh1-d1!?± ;Houdini annotates: 23.Rh1-c1 Rb3-b2 24.e2-e3 Nc2-b4 25.f2-f4 Rb2xh2 26.Rc1-d1 Nb4-a2 27.Ke4-f3 Na2-c3 28.Rd1-c1 Nc3-a4 29.Bb7-a6 Na4-b2 30.Ba6-b5 Nb2-d3 31.Rc1-a1 Rh2-f2+ 32.Kf3-e4 0.47/14 ] 23...b6-b5² Black threatens to win material: b5xc4 [Houdini annotates: 23...b6-b5 24.Ke4-f3 b5xc4 25.Bb7-e4 Nc2-d4+ 26.Kf3-f4 Nd4-e2+ 27.Kf4-f3 Ne2-d4+ 28.Kf3-f4 0.07/19 ] 24.Ke4-f4 [Houdini annotates: 24.Ke4-f4 Diagram (Diagram 62) b5xc4 25.Bb7-e4 Nc2-b4 26.Be4xh7 Ke7-f6 27.h2-h4 Nb4-d3+ 28.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 29.e3-e4 e6-e5+ 30.Kf4-e3

126 Rb3-b8 31.Ke3xd3 Rb8xh8 32.Kd3-c4 Kf6-e6 33.Kc4xc5 Rh8-c8+ 34.Kc5-b5 Rc8-c2 35.Rh1-f1 Rc2-b2+ 36.Kb5-c4 Rb2-d2 37.f2-f3 Rd2-g2 38.g3-g4 Rg2-c2+ 39.Kc4-d3 0.11/16 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-sN0{ 9+L+pmk-zpp0 62 9-+-+p+-+0 9+pzp-+-+-0 9-+P+-mK-+0 9+r+-zP-zP-0 9-+n+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 24...b5xc4 Black has a new passed pawn: c4. [ 24...Rb3-b4!?= ;Houdini 2. 0c : 24...b5xc4 25.Bb7-e4 Nc2-b4 26.Be4xh7 c4-c3 27.g3-g4 Rb3-b2 28.Kf4-f3 Rb2-d2 29.Nh8-g6+ Ke7-d6 30.Ng6-f4 c3-c2 31.Rh1-c1 c5-c4 32.Bh7-g6 Kd6-e5 33.Bg6-h7 Ke5-d6 34.Bh7-g6 0.07/16 ] 25.Bb7-e4² [Houdini annotates: 25.Bb7-e4 Nc2-b4 26.Be4xh7 Ke7-f6 27.h2-h4 Nb4-d3+ 28.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 29.e3-e4 e6-e5+ 30.Kf4-e3 Rb3-b8 31.Ke3xd3 Rb8xh8 32.Kd3-c4 Kf6-e6 33.Kc4xc5 Rh8-c8+ 34.Kc5-b4 Rc8-c2 35.Rh1-f1 d7-d5 36.Kb4-b3 Rc2-e2 37.e4xd5+ Ke6xd5 38.Kb3-c3 Kd5-c5 39.f2-f3 Re2-e3+ 40.Kc3-d2 0.20/16 ] 25...Nc2-b4 [Houdini annotates: 25...Nc2-b4 26.Be4xh7 Ke7-f6 27.h2-h4 Nb4-d3+ 28.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 29.e3-e4 e6-e5+ 30.Kf4-e3 Rb3-b8 31.Ke3xd3 Rb8xh8 32.Kd3-c4 Kf6-e6 33.Kc4xc5 Rh8-c8+ 34.Kc5-b4 Rc8-c2 35.Rh1-f1 d7-d5 36.Kb4-b3 Rc2-e2 37.e4xd5+ Ke6xd5 38.Kb3-c3 Kd5-c5 39.f2-f3 Re2-e3+ 40.Kc3-d2 0.21/18 ] 26.Be4xh7 [Houdini annotates:

127 26.Be4xh7 Ke7-f6 27.h2-h4 Nb4-d3+ 28.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 29.e3-e4 e6-e5+ 30.Kf4-e3 Rb3-b8 31.Rh1-a1 Rb8xh8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Ra1-a6+ Kf6-e7 33.Ke3xd3 32.Ra1-a6+ Kf6-e7 33.Ke3xd3 Rh8-b8 34.Kd3-c4 Rb8-b4+ 35.Kc4-d5 c5-c4 36.Kd5-c5 Rb4-b2 37.Kc5xc4 Rb2xf2 38.Ra6-a7 Rf2-f3 0.18/15 ] 26...Nb4-d3+ [Houdini annotates : 26...c4-c3 27.Nh8-g6+ Ke7-f6 28.Kf4-f3 Nb4-d3 29.Ng6-f8 Nd3-e5+ 30.Kf3-g2 g7-g6 31.Bh7xg6 Rb3-b8 32.Nf8xd7+ Ne5xd7 33.Bg6-h7 Nd7-e5 34.Rh1-c1 Rb8-b3 35.Bh7-c2 Rb3-b2 36.Bc2-e4 Ne5-g4 37.Rc1xc3 Rb2xf2+ 38.Kg2-h3 Kf6-e5 39.Be4-f3 0.30/14 ] 27.Kf4-g5 [ 27.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 28.h2-h4 d7-d6± ; Houdini annotates: 27.Kf4-g5 Nd3xf2 28.Rh1-f1 Rb3-b2 29.h2h4 d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.32/19 ] 27...Nd3xf2² [Houdini annotates : 27...Nd3xf2 28.Rh1-f1 Rb3-b2 29.h2-h4 d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/18 ] 28.Rh1-f1 White threatens to win material: Rf1xf2 [Houdini annotates: 28.Rh1-f1 Rb3-b2 29.h2-h4 d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3

128 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.32/18 ] 28...Rb3-b2 [Houdini annotates: 28...Rb3-b2 29.h2-h4 d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/19 ] 29.h2-h4 [Houdini annotates: 29.h2-h4 d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.32/17 ] 29...d7-d5 Black has a new protected passed pawn: c4 [Houdini annotates: 29...d7-d5 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/16 ] 30.Rf1-a1 [ Houdini annotates: 30.Rf1-a1 Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 d3-d2 38.Kf3-e2 Kc6-b5 39.Nf4xd5 d2-d1Q+ 40.Ke2xd1 Rb2-d2+ 41.Kd1-c1 Rd2xd5 42.Ra1-a7 g7-g6 43.Kc1-c2 Rd5-e5 44.Ra7-g7 Re5xe3 45.Rg7xg6 0.35/17 ] 30...Ke7-d7 [ 30...c4-c3 31.Nh8-g6+ Ke7-d7 32.Ng6-e5+ Kd7-d6 33.Ne5-f7+ Kd6-c7 34.Kg5-f4² ;Houdini annotates: 30...Ke7-d7 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2-d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7-c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4

129 36.Kf4-f3 c4-c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3-c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6-e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/16 ] 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/16 ] 31.Nh8-f7± [Houdini annotates: 31.Nh8-f7 Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4c3 37.Ne6-f4 d3-d2 38.Kf3-e2 Kc6b5 39.Nf4xd5 d2-d1Q+ 40.Ke2xd1 Rb2-d2+ 41.Kd1-c1 Rd2xd5 42.Ra1-a7 g7-g6 43.Kc1-c2 Rd5e5 44.Ra7-g7 Re5xe3 45.Rg7xg6 0.35/15 ] 31...c4-c3 White has to watch this pawn [Houdini annotates: 31...Kd7-c7 32.Kg5-f4 Nf2d3+ 33.Bh7xd3 c4xd3 34.Nf7-g5 Kc7c6 35.Ng5xe6 c5-c4 36.Kf4-f3 c4c3 37.Ne6-f4 Rb2-d2 38.Ra1-a3 c3c2 39.Ra3-c3+ Kc6-d6 40.h4-h5 Kd6e5 41.Nf4xd3+ Rd2xd3 42.Rc3xc2 Ke5-d6 43.Kf3-f4 0.39/15 ] 32.Kg5g6 White threatens to win material: Kg6xg7 [ 32.Kg5-f4 c5-c4± ; Houdini annotates: 32.Kg5-f4 c5-c4 33.Kf4-f3 Kd7-e7 34.Ra1-a7+ Ke7f6

130 35.g3-g4 Nf2xg4 36.Kf3xg4 c3-c2 37.Bh7xc2 Rb2xc2 38.Nf7-g5 Rc2-g2+ 39.Kg4-f3 Rg2-h2 40.Ra7-a6 Rh2xh4 41.Ng5xe6 Rh4-h3+ 42.Kf3-f4 Rh3-h4+ 43.Kf4-g3 Rh4-h6 44.Ne6-d4+ Kf6-e5 45.Ra6-a7 c4-c3 46.Ra7xg7 0.40/14 ] 32...Nf2-g4 The knight feels good on g4 [ 32...Rb2-e2 33.h4-h5± ;Houdini 2.0c : 32...Rb2-e2 33.Kg6xg7 Re2xe3 34.h4-h5 Re3xg3+ 35.Bh7-g6 Nf2-g4 36.h5-h6 Ng4xh6 37.Kg7xh6 Rg3-g2 38.Nf7-e5+ Kd7-e7 39.Ne5-d3 Rg2-h2+ 40.Kh6-g7 d5-d4 41.Bg6-e4 c5-c4 42.Nd3-e5 Ke7-d6 43.Ne5xc4+ Kd6-c5 0.59/14 ] 33.Ra1-g1 [ ¹33.Kg6xg7!? Rb2-e2 34.Ra1-a7+ Kd7-c6 35.Nf7-d8+ Kc6-b6 36.Ra7-b7+ Kb6-a6 37.Bh7-d3+ c5-c4 38.Bd3xe2² ;Houdini annotates: 33.Kg6xg7 Rb2-g2 34.h4-h5 Rg2xg3 35.h5-h6 Rg3xe3 36.Bh7-c2 Ng4xh6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Kg7xh6 Re3-e2 38.Bc2-d3 Re2-h2+ 39.Kh6-g5 Rh2-g2+ 40.Kg5-h4 c5-c4 41.Kh4-h3 Rg2-d2 42.Bd3-g6 Kd7-e7 43.Kh3-g3 Ke7-f6 44.Bg6-h5 c3-c2 45.Kg3-f4 d5-d4 46.Nf7-e5 0.51/14 ] 33...Rb2-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 33...Ng4xe3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+k+NzpL0 63 9-+-+p+K+0 9+-zpp+-+-0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-zp-sn-zP-0 9-tr-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-tR-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 34.Kg6xg7 Rb2-h2 35.Nf7-e5+ Kd7-d6 36.Ne5-f7+ Kd6-e7 37.Rg1-a1 c3-c2 38.Ra1-a7+ Ke7-e8 39.Bh7xc2 Ne3xc2 40.Nf7-d6+ Ke8-d8 41.Kg7-f6 Nc2-d4 42.Nd6-f7+ Kd8-c8 43.Nf7-d6+ Kc8-b8 44.Ra7-b7+ Kb8-a8 45.Rb7-d7 Ka8-b8 46.Rd7-b7+ Kb8-a8 0.03/14 ] 34.Kg6xg7 [Houdini annotates: 34.Kg6xg7 Re2xe3 35.h4-h5 c5-c4 36.h5-h6 Kd7-c6 37.Bh7-b1 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 d5-d4 39.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 40.Rg1-c1 Kc6-d5 41.Kg7-f6 e6-e5 42.Bb1-f5 d4-d3 43.Rc1xc3 d3-d2 44.Bf5-e6+ Kd5-d6 45.Be6xc4 d2-d1Q 46.Rc3-d3+ Qd1xd3 47.Bc4xd3 Re2-g2 48.Ng4-e3 Rg2-f2+ 49.Kf6-g5 Rf2-f3 50.Ne3-f5+ Kd6-d5 51.Bd3-e2 Rf3-c3 52.g3-g4 e5-e4 53.Kg5-f4

131 0.33/17 ] 34...Re2xe3 [ ¹34...c3-c2!?= is a viable option ;Houdini annotates: 34...c5-c4 35.h4-h5 Re2xe3 36.h5-h6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kd7-c6 37.Bh7-b1 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 d5-d4 39.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 40.Rg1-c1 Kd7-c6 37.Bh7-b1 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 d5-d4 39.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 40.Rg1-c1 Kc6-c5 41.Kg7-f6 d4-d3 42.Rc1xc3 Kc5-d4 43.Rc3-a3 e6-e5 44.Ng4-h6 e5-e4 45.Nh6-f5+ Kd4-c5 46.Ra3a5+ Kc5-b4 47.Ra5-d5 Kb4-c3 48.Nf5-d4 Re2-e1 49.Nd4-b5+ Kc3-d2 0.41/14 ] 35.h4-h5± [Houdini annotates: 35.h4-h5 c5-c4 36.h5-h6 Kd7-c6 37.Bh7-b1 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 d5-d4 39.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 40.Rg1-c1 Kc6-c5 41.Kg7-f6 d4-d3 42.Rc1xc3 Kc5-d4 43.Rc3-a3 e6-e5 44.Ng4-h6 e5-e4 45.Nh6-f5+ Kd4-c5 46.Ra3-a5+ Kc5-b4 47.Ra5-d5 Kb4-c3 48.Nf5-d4 Re2-e1 49.Nd4-b5+ Kc3-d2 0.35/16 ] 35...d5-d4 [Houdini annotates: 35...Kd7-c6 36.h5-h6 c5-c4 37.Bh7-c2 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 d5-d4 39.Bc2-d1 Re3-d3 40.Nh6-g4 Rd3-d2 41.Bd1f3+ Kc6-c5 42.Ng4-f6 Rd2-h2 43.Kg7f7 c3-c2 44.Kf7xe6 d4-d3 45.Ke6-e5 Kc5-b4 46.Bf3-e4 Kb4-c3 47.Rg1-c1 Kc3-d2 0.38/16 ] 36.h5-h6 [ Houdini annotates: 36.h5-h6 Kd7-c7 37.Bh7-g6 Ng4xh6 38.Nf7xh6 c5-c4 39.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 40.Rg1-c1 Kc7-b6 41.Kg7-f6 Kb6-c5 42.Ng4-e5 Kc5-d5 43.Ne5-d7 d4-d3 44.Rc1xc3 Kd5-d4 45.Rc3-a3 Re2-e1 46.Ra3-a2 Re1-e2 47.Ra2-a4 d3-d2 48.Bg6-c2 Kd4-c3 49.Bc2-d1 Re2-e1 50.Ra4-a3+ Kc3-b2 0.47/16 ] 36...c5-c4 Black plans d3 [Houdini 2. 0c : 36...Ng4xh6 37.Nf7xh6 Kd7-d6 38.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 39.Ng4f6 c5-c4 40.Rg1-c1 Kd6-e5 41.g3-g4

132 d4-d3 42.Rc1xc3 d3-d2 43.Bh7-c2 Ke5-d4 44.Rc3-h3 Re2-e1 45.g4-g5 Re1-c1 46.Rh3-h4+ Kd4-c3 47.Bc2-a4 Kc3-d3 48.Rh4-h3+ Kd3-d4 49.Kg7-f7 e6-e5 50.Kf7-e6 e5-e4 51.g5-g6 0.39/14 ] 37.Bh7-c2 [Houdini annotates: 37.Rg1-d1 Re3xg3 38.Rd1xd4+ Kd7-c6 39.Bh7-g6 Ng4xh6 40.Nf7xh6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kc6-c5 41.Rd4-g4 Rg3-h3 42.Rg4-g1 Rh3-h2 43.Nh6-g4 Rh2-b2 2.01/12 ] 37...Ng4xh6 [Houdini annotates: 37...Ng4xh6 38.Bc2-a4+ Kd7-e7 39.Nf7xh6 d4-d3 40.g3-g4 Re3-e2 41.Rg1-a1 c3-c2 42.Nh6-f7 Re2-f2 43.Nf7-e5 Rf2-e2 44.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-d6 45.Nc6-b4 Re2-g2 46.Kg7-f6 Rg2xg4 47.Ba4xc2 Rg4-f4+ 48.Kf6-g5 Rf4-f5+ 49.Kg5-g4 d3xc2 50.Nb4xc2 Rf5-f2 51.Nc2-d4 e6-e5 52.Nd4-f5+ Kd6-d5 0.06/16 ] 38.Nf7xh6 [Houdini annotates: 38.Bc2-a4+ Kd7-e7 39.Nf7xh6 d4-d3 40.g3-g4 Re3-e2 41.Rg1-a1 c3-c2 42.Nh6-f7 Re2-f2 43.Nf7-e5 Rf2-e2 44.Ne5-c6+ Ke7-d6 45.Nc6-b4 Re2-g2 46.Kg7-f6 Rg2xg4 47.Ba4xc2 Rg4-f4+ 48.Kf6-g5 Rf4-f5+ 49.Kg5-g4 d3xc2 50.Nb4xc2 Rf5-f2 51.Nc2-d4 e6-e5 52.Nd4-f5+ Kd6-d5 0.00/17 ] 38...d4-d3 Pushes the passed pawn [ Houdini annotates: 38...d4-d3 39.Rg1-c1 Re3xg3+ 40.Kg7-f6 Kd7-d6 41.Nh6-f7+ Kd6-d5 42.Bc2-d1 c3-c2 43.Bd1xc2 d3xc2 44.Rc1xc2 Rg3-f3+ 45.Kf6-g6 c4-c3 46.Nf7-g5 Rf3-e3 47.Kg6-f6 Kd5-c4 48.Rc2xc3+ Re3xc3 49.Ng5xe6 Rc3-e3 50.Kf6-f5 Re3-e1 51.Ne6-f4 Re1-a1 52.Nf4-e6 -0.12/18 ] 39.Bc2-a4+ [Houdini annotates: 39.Rg1-c1 Re3xg3+ 40.Kg7-f6 Kd7-d6 41.Nh6-f7+ Kd6-d5 42.Bc2-d1 c3-c2 43.Bd1xc2 d3xc2 44.Rc1xc2 Rg3-f3+ 45.Kf6-g6 c4-c3 46.Nf7-g5 Rf3-e3 47.Kg6-f6 Kd5-c4 48.Rc2xc3+ Re3xc3 49.Ng5xe6 Rc3-c2 50.Kf6-e5 Rc2-a2 51.Ne6-d4 Ra2-a5+ 52.Ke5-e4 -0.12/17 ] 39...Kd7-d6 [Houdini annotates : 39...Kd7-d6 40.Kg7-f6 Kd6-c5 41.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 42.Ng4-e5

133 c3-c2 43.g3-g4 Kc5-d5 44.Ne5-c6 Re2-f2+ 45.Kf6-g5 Kd5-c5 46.Rg1-c1 Rf2-h2 47.Nc6-e5 Kc5-d5 48.Ne5-d7 Kd5-d4 49.Ba4-c6 e6-e5 50.Nd7-f6 Kd4-e3 51.Bc6-e4 -0.41/17 ] 40.g3-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games [Houdini annotates: 40.Kg7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 40.Kg7-f6 Kd6-c5 41.Nh6-g4 Re3-e2 42.Ng4e5 c3-c2 43.g3-g4 Kc5-d5 44.Ne5-c6 Re2-f2+ 45.Kf6-g5 Kd5-c5 46.Nc6d8 e6-e5 47.Rg1-h1 e5-e4 48.Ba4xc2 Rf2xc2 49.Kg5-f4 Rc2-e2 50.Nd8e6+ Kc5-d5 -0.33/15 ] 40...Kd6-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 40...Re3-e2 41.Nh6-f7+ Kd6-c5 42.Rg1-a1 Re2-b2 43.Nf7-g5 c3-c2 44.Ba4xc2 Rb2xc2 45.Kg7-f6 c4-c3 46.Ng5xe6+ Kc5-c4 47.Ra1-a4+ Kc4-b5 48.Ra4-a1 Rc2-g2 49.g4-g5 d3-d2 50.g5-g6 Rg2-g4 51.g6-g7 c3-c2 52.Ne6-d4+ Rg4xd4 53.g7-g8Q Rd4-d6+ 54.Kf6f5 d2-d1Q 55.Qg8-b3+ Kb5-c6 56.Ra1-a6+ Kc6-c7 57.Qb3f7+ Rd6-d7 58.Qf7-c4+ Kc7-b8 59.Ra6-b6+ Kb8-a8 -0.48/15 ] 41.g4-g5 [Houdini annotates: 41.g4-g5 Kc5-b4 42.Nh6-g4 Re3-h3 43.Rg1-a1 Rh3-g3 44.Ng4-e5 Rg3xg5+ 45.Kg7-f6 Rg5-h5 46.Ne5-c6+ Kb4-c5 47.Ra1-c1 c3-c2 48.Ba4xc2 d3xc2 49.Rc1xc2 Kc5xc6 50.Rc2xc4+ Kc6-d6 51.Rc4-a4 Rh5-f5+ 52.Kf6-g6 Rf5-f2 53.Kg6-g5 Rf2-g2+ 54.Kg5-f6 e6-e5 55.Ra4a6+ Kd6-d5 56.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-c4 57.Ra5-a4+ Kc4-c3 -0.17/17 ] 41...Kc5-b4 Black threatens to win material: Kb4xa4 [Houdini annotates: 41...Kc5-b4 42.Nh6-g4 Re3-h3 43.Rg1-a1 Rh3-g3 44.Ng4-e5 Rg3xg5+ 45.Kg7-f6 Rg5-h5 46.Ne5-c6+ Kb4-c5 47.Ra1-c1 c3-c2 48.Ba4xc2 d3xc2 49.Rc1xc2 Kc5xc6 50.Rc2xc4+ Kc6-d6 51.Rc4-a4 Rh5-f5+ 52.Kf6-g6 Rf5-f2 53.Kg6-g5 Rf2-g2+ 54.Kg5-f6 e6-e5 55.Ra4a6+ Kd6-d5 56.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-c4

134 57.Ra5-a4+ Kc4-c3 -0.14/17 ] 42.Nh6-g4 [Houdini annotates: 42.Nh6-g4 Re3-h3 43.Rg1-a1 Rh3-g3 44.Ng4-e5 Rg3xg5+ 45.Kg7-f6

135

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rg5-h5 46.Ne5-c6+ Kb4-c5 47.Ra1-c1 c3-c2 48.Ba4xc2 d3xc2 49.Rc1xc2 Kc5xc6 50.Rc2xc4+ Kc6-d6 51.Rc4-a4 Rh5-f5+ 52.Kf6-g6 Rf5-f2 53.Kg6-g5 Rf2-g2+ 54.Kg5-f6 e6-e5 55.Ra4-a6+ Kd6-d5 56.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-c4 57.Ra5-a4+ Kc4-c3 -0.17/16 ] 42...Re3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 42...Re3-e2 43.Rg1-a1 Re2-g2 44.Ng4-e5 Rg2xg5+ 45.Kg7-f6 Rg5-h5 46.Ne5-c6+ Kb4-c5 47.Ra1-c1 c3-c2 48.Ba4xc2 d3xc2 49.Rc1xc2 Kc5xc6 50.Rc2xc4+ Kc6-d6 51.Rc4-a4 Rh5-f5+ 52.Kf6-g6 Rf5-f2 53.Ra4-a6+ Kd6-d5 54.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-d4 55.Ra5-a4+ Kd4-e5 56.Ra4-a5+ Ke5-e4 57.Ra5-a4+ Ke4-d3 58.Ra4-a6 -0.17/14 ] 43.Ng4-f6 White threatens to win material: Nf6xe4. White can be proud of that piece [ 43.Kg7-f7 Kb4xa4 44.g5-g6 c3-c2= ; Houdini annotates: 43.Ng4-f6 Re4-e5 44.g5-g6 Kb4xa4 45.Kg7-f7 Re5-a5 46.Rg1-a1+ Ka4-b4 47.g6-g7 Ra5xa1 48.g7-g8Q d3-d2 49.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-a3 50.Qb8-e5 d2-d1Q 51.Qe5xc3+ Ka3-a2 52.Qc3xc4+ Qd1-b3 53.Qc4-e2+ Ka2-a3 54.Qe2-a6+ Qb3-a4 55.Qa6xa4+ Ka3xa4 56.Kf7xe6 Ka4-b4 57.Ke6-e5 Kb4-c4 -0.24/17 ] 43...Re4-e5³ Black has a cramped position [ Houdini annotates: 43...Re4-e5 44.g5-g6 Kb4xa4 45.Kg7-f7 Re5-a5 46.Rg1-a1+ Ka4-b4 47.g6-g7 Ra5xa1 48.g7-g8Q d3-d2 49.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-a3 50.Qb8-e5 d2-d1Q 51.Qe5xc3+ Ka3-a2 52.Qc3xc4+ Qd1-b3 53.Qc4-e2+ Ka2-a3 54.Qe2-a6+ Qb3-a4 55.Qa6xa4+ Ka3xa4 56.Kf7xe6 Ka4-b4 57.Ke6-e5 Kb4-c4 -0.04/16 ] 44.Ba4-d1?? [ 44.Ba4-c2

d3xc2 45.g5-g6µ ;Houdini annotates: 44.g5-g6 Kb4xa4 45.Kg7-f7

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re5-a5 46.Rg1-a1+ Ka4-b4 47.g6-g7 Re5-a5 46.Rg1-a1+ Ka4-b4 47.g6-g7 Ra5xa1 48.g7-g8Q d3-d2 49.Qg8b8+ Kb4-a3 50.Qb8-e5 d2-d1Q 51.Qe5xc3+ Ka3-a2 52.Qc3xc4+ Qd1-b3 53.Qc4-e2+ Ka2-a3 54.Qe2-a6+ Ka3-b2 55.Qa6e2+ Qb3-c2 56.Qe2xc2+ Kb2xc2 57.Kf7xe6 Ra1-a6+ 58.Ke6-e5 -0.07/14 ] 44...d3-d2-+ [Houdini annotates : 44...d3-d2 45.Bd1-c2 Re5-e1 46.Rg1-g4 Re1-c1 47.Rg4-d4 Rc1xc2 48.Nf6-e4 Rc2-a2 49.Kg7-f6 e6-e5 50.Kf6xe5 c3-c2 51.Ne4xd2 Ra2-a5+ 52.Ke5-e6 Ra5-c5 53.Nd2-e4 c2-c1Q 54.Ne4xc5 Kb4xc5 55.Rd4-d5+ Kc5-b4 56.g5-g6 Qc1-h6 57.Ke6-f6 c4-c3 58.Rd5-d4+ Kb4-c5 -3.92/14 ] 45.g5-g6 [ 45.Kg7-f7 doesn't change the outcome of the game Re5-e1 46.g5-g6 Re1xg1-+ ;Houdini annotates: 45.Rg1-g3 Re5-e1 46.Nf6-e4 Re1xe4 47.Kg7-f6 Re4-e1 48.g5-g6 Re1xd1 49.g6-g7 Rd1-f1+ 50.Kf6-e7 d2-d1Q 51.g7-g8Q Rf1-f5 52.Qg8b8+ Rf5-b5 53.Qb8-f8 Qd1-d5 54.Ke7-f7+ Kb4-b3 55.Kf7-g8 Rb5-b7 56.Qf8-f3 Qd5xf3 57.Rg3xf3 e6-e5 58.Rf3-f1 -4.06/15 ] 45...Re5-e1 [Houdini annotates : 45...Re5-e1 46.Kg7-f7 Re1xg1 47.g6-g7 Kb4-a3 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-

136 b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b2 Qd1-g4 59.Kf6-f7 Qg4-f4+ 60.Kf7-e7 e6-e5 61.Ke7-e6 Qf4-c4+ 62.Ke6-f5 -4.45/14 ] 46.Kg7-f7 [Houdini annotates: 46.Kg7-f7 Re1xg1 47.g6g7 Kb4-a3 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Qd1-d3 60.Qc3-e1+ Qd3-e2 61.Qe1-c3+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 64 9-+-+pmK-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-wQ-mk-+-0 9-+p+q+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke3-f2 62.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 63.Kf6-e7 e6-e5 64.Qc5-a3 e5-e4 65.Qa3-c1+ -5.06/15 ] 46...Re1xg1 [Houdini annotates : 46...Re1xg1 47.g6-g7 Kb4-a3 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-a6+ Kd3-d2 58.Qa6-d6+ Kd2-e1 59.Qd6-g3+ Ke1-e2 60.Qg3-e5+ Ke2-f1 61.Qe5-f4+ Kf1-g2 62.Qf4-g5+ Kg2-f2 63.Qg5-h4+ Kf2-e3 64.Qh4-g5+ Ke3-f3 -2.99/14 ] 47.g6-g7 [ Houdini annotates: 47.g6-g7 Kb4-a3 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Nc4-d2 c2-c1Q 56.Nd2-e4+ Kc3-c2 57.Qb8-h2+ Kc2-b1 58.Qh2-b8+ Kb1-a2 59.Qb8-a7+ Ka2-b2 60.Kf6-e7

137 e6-e5 61.Qa7-b8+ Kb2-a2 62.Qb8xe5 Qc1-b2 63.Qe5-e6+ Qd1-b3 64.Ne4-c5 Qb3xe6+ 65.Nc5xe6

Levon Aronian's Best Games -5.46/15 ] 47...Kb4-a3 [ 47...Rg1xd1 -5.46/15 ] 47...Kb4-a3 [ 47...Rg1xd1 48.g7-g8Q Rd1-e1 49.Qg8b8+ Kb4-a3 50.Qb8-a7+ Ka3b2 51.Qa7-b6+ Kb2-c1 52.Qb6-d4-+ ; Houdini annotates: 47...Kb4-a3 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Ke3-f2 60.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 61.Qc5b5+ Qd1-e2 62.Qb5-c6 e6-e5 63.Qc6-h1+ Kf1-f2 64.Qh1-c1 Qe2-d1 65.Qc1-b2 e5-e4 66.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 67.Ke5-e4 e3-e2 68.Qb2-b6+ Kf2-f1 69.Qb6f6+ Kf1-e1 -5.00/18 ] 48.Bd1-g4 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Bd1-g4 Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Ke3-f2 60.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 61.Qc5-b5+ Qd1-e2 62.Qb5-c6 e6-e5 63.Qc6h1+ Kf1-f2 64.Qh1-c1 Qe2-d1 65.Qc1-b2 e5-e4 66.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 67.Ke5-e4 e3-e2 68.Qb2-b6+ Kf2-f1 69.Qb6f6+ Kf1-e1 -4.86/15 ] 48...Rg1xg4! a convincing end [Houdini annotates: 48...Rg1xg4 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-g6 Qd7-d3+ 52.Kg6-h6 c3-c2 53.Qg8f8+ Ka3-a2 54.Qf8-a8+ Qd3-a3

138 55.Qa8-g2 Ka2-b3 56.Qg2-b7+ Qa3-b4 57.Qb7-f3+ c4-c3 58.Qf3-e3 Kb3-b2 59.Ng4-f2 Qb4-f8+ 60.Kh6-h7 Qf8-f5+ 61.Kh7-h8 c2-c1Q 62.Nf2-d3+ Qf5xd3 63.Qe3xd3 Qc1-h6+ 64.Kh8-g8 Qh6-g5+ 65.Kg8-h8 Qg5-e5+ 66.Kh8-g8 c3-c2 67.Qd3-d2 Qe5-c3 68.Qd2-e2 Qc3-c5 69.Qe2-g2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qc5-d5 70.Qg2-h2 Qd5-g5+ 71.Kg8-f7 Qg5-f5+ 72.Kf7-g8 e6-e5 73.Qh2-e2 e5-e4 -6.22/14 ] 49.Nf6xg4 [ 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q Promotion ; …49.-Rg4xg7+ Threat 50.Kf7xe6 ( 50.Kf7-e8 d2-d1Q Promotion ; 50.Kf7-f8 d2-d1Q Promotion ; 50.Kf7xg7 c3-c2 Promotion Passed pawn ) 50...d2-d1Q Promotion ;Houdini annotates: 49.Nf6xg4 d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Ke3-f2 60.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 61.Qc5-b5+ Qd1-e2 62.Qb5-c6 e6-e5 63.Qc6-h1+ Kf1-f2 64.Qh1-c1 Qe2-d1 65.Qc1-b2 e5-e4 66.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 67.Ke5-e4 e3-e2 68.Qb2-b6+ Kf2-f1 69.Qb6-f6+ Kf1-e1 -5.16/17 ] 49...d2-d1Q [ Houdini annotates: 49...d2-d1Q 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Qd1-d3 60.Qc3-e1+ Qd3-e2 61.Qe1-c3+ Ke3-f2 62.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 63.Qc5-c3 e6-e5 64.Qc3-c6 Kf1-e1 65.Qc6-c3+ Ke1-d1 66.Qc3-b3 e5-e4 67.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 68.Qb3-d5+ Qe2-d2 69.Qd5-h1+ Kd1-e2 70.Qh1-g2+ Ke2-d3 71.Qg2-e4+ Kd3-c3 -4.43/18 ] 50.g7-g8Q [Houdini annotates: 50.g7-g8Q Qd1-d7+ 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-g3+ Qd1-d3 56.Qg3-e1+ Kc3xc4 57.Qe1xe6+ Kc4-c3 58.Qe6-e1+ Kc3-b2 59.Qe1-f2

139 Qd3-c3+ 60.Kf6-f7 Kb2-b1 61.Qf2-b6+ Qc3-b2 62.Qb6-g6 Qb2-b7+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 63.Kf7-g8 Kb1-b2 64.Qg6-f6+ Kb2-a2 63.Kf7-g8 Kb1-b2 64.Qg6-f6+ Kb2-a2 65.Qf6-f2 Ka2-b1 -3.29/13 ] 50...Qd1-d7+ [Houdini annotates: 50...Qd1-d7+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+Q+0 9+-+q+K+-0 65 9-+-+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+p+-+N+0 9mk-zp-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2-a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2e3 59.Qb4-c3+ Qd1-d3 60.Qc3e1+ Qd3-e2 61.Qe1-c3+ Ke3-f2 62.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 63.Qc5-c3 e6-e5 64.Qc3-c6 Kf1-e1 65.Qc6-c3+ Ke1-d1 66.Qc3-b3 e5-e4 67.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 68.Ke5-e4 Qe2-d2 -4.63/14 ] 51.Kf7-f6 [ 51.Kf7-g6 c3-c2 52.Qg8-a8+ Ka3-b2 53.Qa8-b8+ Kb2-c3 54.Qb8-e5+ Qd7-d4 55.Qe5-a5+ Kc3-d3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 51.Kf7-f6 c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8b8+ Kb4-c3 55.Qb8-b2+ Kc3xc4 56.Qb2a2+ Kc4-d3 57.Qa2-b3+ Kd3-d2 58.Qb3-b4+ Kd2-e3 59.Qb4c3+ Qd1-d3 60.Qc3-e1+ Qd3e2

140 61.Qe1-c3+ Ke3-f2 62.Qc3-c5+ Kf2-f1 63.Qc5-c3 e6-e5 64.Qc3-c6 Kf1-e1 65.Qc6-c3+ Ke1-d1 66.Qc3-b3 e5-e4 67.Kf6-e5 e4-e3 68.Ke5-e4 Qe2-d2 -4.71/15 ] 51...Qd7-d4+ [ 51...c3-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4xc4 55.Qb8-c7+ Kc4-b3 56.Qc7-b6+ Kb3-c3 57.Qb6-c5+ Kc3-d2 58.Qc5-a5+ Kd2-d3 59.Qa5-b5+ Kd3-e3 60.Qb5-e5+ Ke3-f2 61.Qe5-h2+ Kf2-e1 62.Qh2-h4+ Ke1-d2 63.Qh4-g5+ Kd2-e2 64.Qg5-h5+ Ke2-e1 65.Qh5-h4+ Ke1-f1 66.Qh4-h3+ Kf1-g1 67.Qh3-g3+ Kg1-f1 68.Qg3-h3+ Kf1-e1 69.Qh3-h4+= ;Houdini annotates: 51...c3-c2 52.Ng4-e5 Qd7-d1 53.Ne5xc4+ Ka3-b4 54.Qg8-b8+ Kb4xc4 55.Qb8-c7+ Kc4-d3 56.Qc7-g3+ Kd3-e2 57.Qg3-e5+ Ke2-f1 58.Qe5-f4+ Kf1-g2 59.Qf4-g5+ Kg2-f2 60.Qg5-h4+ Kf2-e3 61.Qh4-g5+ Ke3-f3 62.Qg5-h5+ Kf3-g3 63.Qh5-e5+ Kg3-f2 64.Qe5-c5+ Kf2-e1 65.Qc5-e3+ Qd1-e2 66.Qe3-c1+ Ke1-f2 -3.68/16 ] 52.Kf6xe6 [Houdini annotates: 52.Kf6-e7 c3-c2 53.Qg8-a8+ Ka3-b2 54.Qa8-b7+ Kb2-a2 55.Qb7-a8+ Ka2-b1 56.Qa8-b7+ Qd4-b2 57.Qb7-e4 Kb1-a2 58.Qe4xc4+ Qb2-b3 59.Qc4-e2 Qb3-b4+ 60.Ke7xe6 Ka2-b1 61.Qe2-d3 Qb4xg4+ 62.Ke6-f6 Qg4-f4+ 63.Kf6-g6 Kb1-b2 64.Qd3-b5+ Kb2-c3 65.Qb5-c5+ Qf4-c4 66.Qc5-e5+ Qc4-d4 67.Qe5-c7+ Kc3-d2 68.Qc7-h2+ Kd2-d3 69.Qh2-g3+ Qd4-e3 70.Qg3-d6+ Qe3-d4 71.Qd6-g3+ Qd4-e3 -2.87/15 ] 52...c3-c2 [Houdini annotates: 52...c3-c2 53.Qg8-a8+ Ka3-b2 54.Qa8-b7+ Kb2-c3 55.Qb7-f3+ Qd4-d3 56.Qf3-h1 Qd3-e2+ 57.Ke6-f7 Qe2xg4 58.Qh1-e1+ Kc3-b3 59.Qe1-e3+ c4-c3 60.Kf7-f6 Qg4-b4

141 61.Kf6-g7 Qb4-b7+ 62.Kg7-f6 Qb7-a6+ 63.Kf6-g7 Kb3-b2 64.Qe3-f2 Qa6-b7+ 65.Kg7-h8 Qb7-b5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 66.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 67.Qg2-f2 Qd7-b7 66.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 67.Qg2-f2 Qd7-b7 68.Kh8-g8 Qb7-b5 69.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 70.Kg8-f8 Qd7-c7 71.Qg2-e2 Qc7-d6+ -4.75/15 ] 53.Qg8-a8+ [ Houdini annotates: 53.Qg8-f8+ Ka3-a2 54.Qf8-a8+ Ka2-b2 55.Qa8-b7+ Kb2-c3 56.Qb7-f3+ Qd4-d3 57.Qf3-h1 Qd3-e2+ 58.Ke6-f7 Qe2xg4 59.Qh1-e1+ Kc3-b3 60.Qe1-e3+ c4-c3 61.Kf7-f6 Qg4-b4 62.Kf6-g7 Qb4-b7+ 63.Kg7-f6 Qb7-a6+ 64.Kf6-g7 Kb3-b2 65.Qe3-f2 Qa6-b7+ 66.Kg7-h8 Qb7-b5 67.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 68.Qg2-f2 Qd7-b7 69.Kh8-g8 Qb7-b5 70.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 71.Kg8-f8 Qd7-c7 72.Qg2-e2 Qc7-d6+ -4.83/16 ] 53...Ka3-b2 [ Houdini annotates: 53...Ka3-b2 54.Qa8-b7+ Kb2-c3 55.Qb7-f3+ Qd4-d3 56.Qf3-h1 Qd3-e2+ 57.Ke6-f7 Qe2xg4 58.Qh1-e1+ Kc3-b3 59.Qe1-e3+ c4-c3 60.Kf7-f6 Qg4-b4 61.Kf6-g7 Qb4-b7+ 62.Kg7-f6 Qb7-a6+ 63.Kf6-g7 Kb3-b2 64.Qe3-f2 Qa6-b7+ 65.Kg7-h8 Qb7-b5 66.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 67.Qg2-f2 Qd7-b7 68.Kh8-g8 Qb7-b5 69.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 70.Kg8-f8 Qd7-c7 71.Qg2-e2 Qc7-d6+ 72.Kf8-g7 Qd6-d5 73.Qe2-f2 Qd5-d7+ 74.Kg7-f6 Qd7-c6+ 75.Kf6-e7 Qc6-b7+ 76.Ke7-f8 Qb7-b5 77.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7 78.Qg2-f2 Qd7-b7 79.Qf2-e2 Qb7-d5 80.Qe2-f2 Qd5-c6 81.Kf8-g7 Qc6-b7+ 82.Kg7-h8 -4.75/15 ] 54.Qa8-b8+ [ 54.Qa8-g2 the only chance to get some counterplay Qd4xg4+! decapitation 55.Qg2xg4-+ ; Houdini annotates: 54.Qa8-b7+ Kb2-c3 55.Qb7-f3+ Qd4-d3 56.Qf3-h1 Qd3-e2+ 57.Ke6-f7 Qe2xg4 58.Qh1-e1+ Kc3-b3 59.Qe1-e3+ c4-c3 60.Kf7-f6 Qg4-b4 61.Kf6-g7 Qb4-b7+ 62.Kg7-f6 Qb7-a6+

142 63.Kf6-g7 Kb3-b2 64.Qe3-f2 Qa6-b7+ 65.Kg7-h8 Qb7-b5 66.Qf2-g2 Qb5-d7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 67.Kh8-g8 Qd7-e7 68.Qg2-h2 Qe7-b7 69.Qh2-e2 Kb2-b1 70.Qe2-d3 Qb7-b8+ 71.Kg8-g7 Qb8-e5+ 72.Kg7-f7 Kb1-b2 -4.83/16 ] 54...Kb2-c1 [Houdini annotates: 54...Kb2-c1 55.Qb8-b7 Qd4xg4+ 56.Ke6-f7 Qg4-f5+ 57.Kf7-g8 Qf5-g6+ 58.Kg8-f8 Qg6-f6+ 59.Kf8-g8 Qf6-g5+ 60.Kg8-f8 Kc1-d2 61.Qb7-b4+ Kd2-d1 62.Qb4-a4 Qg5-f4+ 63.Kf8-e8 Kd1-d2 64.Qa4-a2 Qf4-e5+ 65.Ke8-f8 Qe5-b5 66.Kf8-f7 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+K+-0 66 9-+-+-+-+0 9+q+-+-+-0 9-+p+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9Q+pmk-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qb5-d7+ 67.Kf7-f6 Kd2-d1 68.Qa2xc4 Qd7-d6+ 69.Kf6-f5 c2-c1Q -6.47/15 ] 55.Qb8-g8 [ 55.Qb8-b4 no good, but what else? Qd4xg4+ 56.Ke6-e5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 55.Qb8-b7 Qd4xg4+ 56.Ke6-f7 Qg4-f5+ 57.Kf7-g8 Qf5-g6+ 58.Kg8-h8 Qg6-g3 59.Qb7-b6 Qg3-b3 60.Qb6-g1+ Kc1-b2 61.Qg1-g2 Kb2-b1 62.Qg2-g6 Kb1-a2 63.Qg6-a6+ Ka2-b2 64.Qa6-f6+ c4-c3 65.Qf6-f2 Kb2-b1 66.Qf2-f5 -5.51/16 ] 55...Kc1-d1 [ 55...Kc1-d1 56.Ng4-f6 c2-c1Q-+ ;Houdini annotates: 55...Kc1-d1 56.Qg8-g5 c2-c1Q

143 57.Qg5-f5 c4-c3 58.Qf5-f3+ Kd1-c2 59.Ng4-f6 Qd4-e3+ 60.Qf3-e4+ Qe3xe4+ 61.Nf6xe4 Kc2-d3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 62.Ne4xc3 Qc1xc3 63.Ke6-d6 Kd3-e4 62.Ne4xc3 Qc1xc3 63.Ke6-d6 Kd3-e4 64.Kd6-d7 Qc3-e5 65.Kd7-c6 Qe5-a5 66.Kc6-d6 Qa5-d5+ 67.Kd6-c7 Ke4-f4 68.Kc7-b6 -11.36/12 ] 0-1

12 D31 Levon Aronian Francisco VallejoPons Linares 2006 (11) 07.03.2006 D31: Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi- Slav without ...Nf6 (+ Marshall Gambit and Noteboom) and Exchange Variation lines without ...Nf6 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Nb1-c3 c7-c6 4.e2-e4 d5xe4 5.Nc3xe4 Bf8-b4+ 6.Bc1-d2 Qd8xd4 7.Bd2xb4 Qd4xe4+ 8.Bf1-e2 Nb8-a6 9.Bb4-d6 e6-e5 10.Ng1-f3 Bc8-g4 11.0-0 0-0-0 12.Be2-d3 Qe4-f4 13.Bd6xe5 Qf4xe5 14.Nf3xe5 Bg4xd1 15.Bd3-f5+ Kc8-c7 16.Ne5xf7 Bd1-h5 17.Nf7xd8 Kc7xd8 18.g2-g4 Ng8-h6 last book move. Black threatens to win material: Nh6xg4 last book move 19.Ra1-d1+ [ Houdini annotates: 19.Ra1-d1+ Kd8-c7 20.Rd1-d7+ Kc7-b6 21.Rd7xg7 Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-e1 Be2xc4 24.Re1-e7 Rh8-b8 25.Rg7xh7 Bc4-d3 26.Rh7-h3 Bd3-c4 27.f5-f6 Rb8-f8 28.b2-b3 Bc4-d5 29.Rh3-h7 Rf8xf6 30.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 31.Rb7xa7 Na6-b4 32.Ra7-a5+ Kc5-b6 33.Ra5-a8 Nb4-d3 0.13/17 ] 19...Kd8-c7 [Houdini annotates:

144 19...Kd8-c7 Diagram (Diagram 67) 20.Rd1-d7+ Kc7-b6 21.Rd7xg7 Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-e1 Be2xc4 24.Re1-e7 Rh8-b8 25.Rg7xh7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-tr0 9zppmk-+-zpp0 67 9n+p+-+-sn0 9+-+-+L+l0 9-+P+-+P+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+R+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Bc4-d3 26.Rh7-h3 Bd3-c4 27.f5-f6 Rb8-f8 28.b2-b3 Bc4-d5 29.Rh3-h7 Rf8xf6 30.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 31.Rh7-h3 Kc5-d6 32.Rb7xa7 Na6-c5 33.Rh3-g3 Nc5-e4 34.Rg3-g2 Ne4-c3 35.Rg2-g7 0.22/20 ] 20.Rd1-d7+ [ Houdini annotates: 20.Rd1-d7+ Kc7-b6 21.Rd7xg7 Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 Diagram (Diagram 68) 28.Rb3xb7 Bf5-b1 29.Rb7xa7 Na6-b4 30.a2-a3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-e8 32.b2-b3 Bb1-c2 33.Rf7-b7 Re8-e2 0.26/19 ] 20...Kc7-b6 [Houdini annotates : 20...Kc7-b6 21.Rd7xg7 Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 28.Rb3xb7 Na6-b4 29.Rb7xa7 Bf5-b1 30.a2-a3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-e8 32.b2-b3 Bb1-c2 33.Rg7-g3 Re8-e2 34.Kg1-g2 0.29/18 ]

145 21.Rd7xg7 [Houdini annotates: 21.Rd7xg7 Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0 9zpp+-+-tR-0 68 9n+p+-+-zp0 9+-mk-+l+-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+R+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 28.Rb3xb7 Na6-b4 29.Rb7xa7 Bf5-b1 30.a2-a3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-e8 32.b2-b3 Bb1-c2 33.Rg7-g3 Re8-e2 34.Kg1-g2 0.19/17 ] 21...Nh6xf5 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Nh6xf5 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 28.Rb3xb7 Na6-b4 29.Rb7xa7 Bf5-b1 30.a2-a3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-e8 32.b2-b3 Bb1-c2 33.Rg7-g3 Re8-e2 34.Kg1-g2 0.29/18 ] 22.g4xf5 White has a new passed pawn: f5. [ Houdini annotates: 22.g4xf5 Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 28.Rb3xb7 Na6-b4 29.Rb7xa7 Bf5-b1 30.a2-a3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-a8 32.Rf7-b7 Ra8-f8 33.Rg7-g6 Rf8xf2 34.Rg6xh6 Kc5xc4 35.Rh6xc6+ Kc4-d4 0.23/17 ] 22...Rh8-f8 [Houdini annotates: 22...Bh5-e2 23.Rf1-c1 Rh8-f8 24.Rc1-c2 Be2-d3 25.Rc2-c3 Bd3xf5 26.Rc3-f3 h7-h6 27.Rf3-b3+ Kb6-c5 28.Rb3xb7 Na6-b4 29.Rb7xa7 Bf5-h3

146 30.b2-b3 Nb4-d3 31.Ra7-f7 Rf8-e8 32.Rf7-e7 Re8-f8 0.28/16 ] 23.Rf1-e1 [ 23.Rg7xh7?? will give the opponent a

Levon Aronian's Best Games chance to mate in 3 Rf8-g8+ 24.Rh7-g7 Rg8xg7+ 25.Kg1-h1 Bh5-f3# ;Houdini annotates: 23.Rf1-e1 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0{ 9zpp+-+-tRp0 69 9nmkp+-+-+0 9+-+-+P+l0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Rf8xf5 24.Re1-e7 Kb6-c5 25.Re7xb7 Na6-b4 26.Rb7xa7 Kc5xc4 27.Rg7xh7 Nb4-d3 28.Ra7-a4+ Kc4-b5 29.Ra4-a3 Nd3xf2 30.Rh7-b7+ Kb5-c4 31.Ra3-c3+ Kc4-d5 32.Rb7-d7+ Kd5-e6 33.Rd7-d2 Nf2-e4 34.Rc3xc6+ Ke6-e5 35.Rd2-d7 Ke5-f4 36.Rc6-c4 Rf5-g5+ 37.Kg1-f1 0.31/17 ] 23...Na6-c5? [ ¹23...Rf8xf5 would allow Black to play on 24.Re1-e7 Kb6-c5² ;Houdini annotates: 23...Rf8xf5 24.Re1-e7 Kb6-c5 25.Re7xb7 Na6-b4 26.Rb7xa7 Kc5xc4 27.Rg7xh7 c6-c5 28.h2-h4 Nb4-d3 29.Ra7-g7 Nd3xf2 30.Rh7xh5 Rf5xh5 31.Kg1xf2 Rh5xh4 32.Kf2-f3 Kc4-b5 33.Rg7-g4 Rh4-h3+ 34.Kf3-e4 Rh3-h2 0.32/15 ] 24.b2-b4+[ Houdini annotates: 24.b2-b4 Nc5-d3 25.Re1-e7 Nd3xb4 26.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6

147 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-a8 Ba6-e2 35.Rg4-g3 Rf6-f7 36.Ra8-h8 Rf7-f6 37.Rh8-h7 a7-a5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Rh7-a7 Kc5-b6 39.Ra7-e7 Be2-f3 38.Rh7-a7 Kc5-b6 39.Ra7-e7 Be2-f3 1.10/18 ] 24...Nc5-d3 [Houdini annotates : 24...Nc5-d3 25.Re1-e7 Nd3xb4 26.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-d5 36.Rg4-g8 Bc8-f5 37.Rg8-d8+ Kd5-e5 38.Rc2-e2+ Ke5-f4 39.Rd8-d4+ Kf4-g5 40.f2-f4+ Kg5-h4 41.Re2-e5 Kh4-h3 42.Re5-e3+ Kh3-h4 1.19/20 ] 25.Re1-e7 [Houdini annotates: 25.Re1-e7 Nd3xb4 26.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 Ba6-c4 34.Rb8-b2 Bc4-d5 35.Rg4-g7 h7-h5 36.Rg7xa7 Rf6-g6+ 37.Kg1-f1 Bd5-c4+ 38.Kf1-e1 Rg6-g1+ 39.Ke1-d2 Rg1-g2 40.Ra7-a5+ Bc4-b5 41.Kd2-e3 Kc5-b6 42.Ra5-a8 Kb6-b7 43.Ra8-e8 Rg2xh2 44.Re8-e7+ Kb7-b6 45.a2-a4 1.11/19 ] 25...Nd3xb4 [Houdini annotates: 25...Nd3xb4 26.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-b6 36.Rg4-b4+ Kb6-c7 37.f2-f4 Bc8-e6 38.Rb4-d4 Be6-f5 39.Rc2-c3 Rf6-f8 40.Kg1-g2 Rf8-b8 41.Rd4-d2 Bf5-e4+ 42.Kg2-g3 Rb8-g8+ 43.Kg3-f2 1.12/18 ] 26.Re7xb7+ [Houdini annotates: 26.Re7xb7+ Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-b6

148 36.Rg4-b4+ Kb6-c7 37.f2-f4 Bc8-e6 38.Rb4-d4 Rf6-f5 39.Rc2-e2 c6-c5 40.Rd4-a4 Be6-d5 41.Re2-e5 Rf5xe5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.f4xe5 1.08/18 ] 26...Kb6-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 26...Kb6-c5 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b4 Ba6-c8 35.Rb4-f4 Rf6-d6 36.Rf4-c4+ Kc5-b5 37.Rc4-b4+ Kb5-a5 38.Rb4-d4 Rd6-e6 39.Rd4-a4+ Ka5-b6 40.Ra4-b4+ Kb6-a5 41.Kg1-g2 c6-c5 1.13/18 ] 27.Rg7-g5 [Houdini annotates: 27.Rg7-g5 Bh5-f3 28.f5f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 Ba6-c4 34.Rb8-b2 Bc4-d5 35.Rg4-g7 h7-h5 36.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-d4 37.Rg7xa7 Kd4-d3 38.Rc2-b2 Rf6-g6+ 39.Kg1-f1 Kd3-c3 40.Rb2-e2 Bd5-c4 41.Ra7-a3+ Kc3-b4 1.11/18 ] 27...Bh5-f3 [Houdini annotates: 27...Bh5-f3 28.f5-f6+ Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-b6 36.Rg4-b4+ Kb6-c7 37.f2-f4 Bc8-e6 38.Rb4-d4 Be6-f5 39.Rc2-c3 Bf5-e6 40.a2-a3 Rf6-f8 41.Kg1-f2 Kc7-b6 42.Rc3-e3 Be6-d5 43.Re3-e7 1.18/18 ] 28.f5-f6+ [ 28.Rb7xa7?! Kc5xc4 29.Ra7xh7 Nb4xa2= ;Houdini annotates: 28.f5-f6+ Diagram (Diagram 70) Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-b6 36.Rg4-b4+ Kb6-c7 37.f2-f4 Bc8-e6 38.Rb4-d4 Be6-f5 39.Rc2-c3 Bf5-e6 40.a2-a3 Rf6-f8 41.Kg1-f2 Kc7-b6

149 42.Rc3-e3 Be6-d5 43.Re3-e7 1.06/17 ] 28...Kc5xc4 [Houdini annotates: 28...Kc5xc4 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2

150

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0{ 9zpR+-+-+p0 70 9-+p+-zP-+0 9+-mk-+-tR-0 9-snP+-+-+0 9+-+-+l+-0 9P+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b2 Ba6-c8 35.Rb2-c2+ Kc5-b6 36.Rg4-b4+ Kb6-c7 37.f2-f4 Bc8-e6 38.Rb4-d4 Be6-f5 39.Rc2-c3 Bf5-e6 40.a2-a3 Rf6-f8 41.Kg1-f2 Kc7-b6 42.Rc3-e3 Be6-d5 43.Re3-e7 1.17/18 ] 29.Rg5-f5 [Houdini annotates: 29.Rg5-f5 Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b3 Ba6-e2 35.Rb3-c3+ Kc5-b5 36.Rg4-g7 a7-a5 37.Rc3-b3+ Kb5-c5 38.Rg7-a7 Kc5-d4 39.Ra7-d7+ Kd4-c4 40.Kg1-g2 c6-c5 41.Rb3-g3 a5-a4 42.Rd7-a7 Kc4-b4 43.Ra7-b7+ Kb4-c4 1.10/18 ] 29...Bf3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 29...Bf3-e2 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4 Be2-a6 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6 33.Rb4-g4 h7-h6 34.Rb8-b3 Ba6-c8 35.Rg4-g7 a7-a6 36.Rb3-g3 Bc8-f5 37.Rg3-a3 Kc5-b6 38.Ra3-b3+ Kb6-c5 39.Rb3-f3 Rf6-f8 40.Kg1-g2 1.07/16 ] 30.Rf5-f4+ [Houdini annotates: 30.Rf5-f4+ Kc4-c5 31.Rb7xb4 Kc5-d6 32.Rb4-a4 Kd6-e5 33.Rf4-h4 Rf8-f7 34.Kg1-f1 Bd5-f3 35.Ra4-a3

Bf3-d5 36.Rh4-h6 Ke5-f5 37.Kf1-e2 Kf5-g5 38.Ra3-h3 1.68/13 ] 30...Kc4-c3 [ 30...Kc4-c5 31.Rf4xb4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf8xf6 32.Rb4-a4 Rf6-g6+ 33.Kg1-f1 Bd5-c4+ 34.Kf1-e1 Rg6-e6+ 35.Ke1-d2 Re6-d6+ 36.Kd2-e3 Rd6-e6+ 37.Ke3-f4 Re6-f6+ 38.Kf4-g4 Rf6-g6+ 39.Kg4-f5+- ;Houdini annotates: 30...Kc4-c5 31.Rb7xb4 Kc5-d6 32.Rb4-a4 Kd6-e5 33.Rf4-h4 Rf8-f7 34.Kg1-f1 Bd5-f3 35.Ra4-a3 Bf3-d5 36.Rh4-h6 Ke5-f5 37.Kf1-e2 Kf5-g5 38.Ra3-h3 1.81/14 ] 31.Rb7xb4 [ 31.Rf4xb4?! c6-c5 32.Rb7-b8 Rf8xf6± ;Houdini annotates: 31.Rb7xb4 Rf8xf6 32.Rf4xf6 Kc3xb4 33.Rf6-h6 a7-a5 34.Rh6-h4+ Kb4-b5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+p0 71 9-+p+-+-+0 9zpk+l+-+-0 9-+-+-+-tR0 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 35.a2-a4+ Kb5-b6 36.Kg1-f1 Bd5-b3 37.Kf1-e2 Bb3-c2 38.Ke2-e3 Kb6-c5 39.f2-f3 Bc2-g6 40.Rh4-d4 Bg6-f5 41.Rd4-d1 2.06/15 ] 31...Bd5xa2? [ 31...Rf8xf6 32.Rb4-b3+! forces the win Bd5xb3 33.Rf4xf6 Bb3-d5+- ; Houdini annotates: 31...Rf8xf6 32.Rf4xf6 Kc3xb4 33.Rf6-h6 a7-a5 34.Rh6-h4+ Kb4-c3 35.Rh4-a4 c6-c5 36.f2-f4 c5-c4 37.f4-f5 Kc3-d4 38.f5-f6 Bd5-f7 39.Kg1-f2 Kd4-e5

151 40.Ra4xa5+ Ke5xf6 41.Kf2-e3 h7-h5 42.Ke3-d2 h5-h4 43.Kd2-c3 Bf7-e6 44.a2-a4 1.99/16 ] 32.Rb4-a4 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Rb4-a4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ba2-f7 33.Ra4xa7 c6-c5 34.f2-f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 h7-h6 36.Kf2-e3 h6-h5 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g6 38.Re4e6 Ba2-f7 33.Ra4xa7 c6-c5 34.f2-f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 h7-h6 36.Kf2-e3 h6-h5 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g6 38.Re4e6 h5-h4 39.Re6-b6 Bg6-f7 40.Ke3-e4 Bf7-g6+ 41.Ke4-e5 Kc3-d2 42.Rb6-d6+ Kd2-e3 43.Ra7-a3+ Bg6-d3 44.Rd6-d7 Ke3xf3 45.f6f7 Kf3-g4 46.Ra3-a1 Kg4-h5 47.Ra1-g1 Bd3-g6 48.Ke5-f6 Bg6-e4 2.74/17 ] 32...Ba2-f7 [Houdini annotates: 32...Ba2-f7 33.Ra4xa7 c6-c5 34.f2f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 h7-h6 36.Kf2-e3 h6-h5 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g6 38.Re4e6 h5-h4 39.Re6-b6 Bg6-f7 40.Ke3-e4 Bf7-g6+ 41.Ke4-e5 Kc3-d2 42.Rb6-d6+ Kd2-e3 43.Ra7-a3+ Bg6-d3 44.Rd6-d7 Ke3xf3 45.f6f7 Kf3-g4 46.Ra3-a1 Kg4-h5 47.Ra1-g1 Bd3-g6 48.Ke5-f6 Bg6-e4 2.86/16 ] 33.Ra4xa7 [Houdini annotates: 33.Ra4xa7 c6-c5 34.f2-f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 Kc3-c2 36.Ra7-c7 Kc2-d3 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g8 38.Rc7-g7 c4-c3 39.Re4-e3+ Kd3-c4 40.Rg7-c7+ Kc4-d4 41.Rc7xc3 Rf8xf6 42.Re3d3+ Kd4-e5 43.Rc3-c5+ Ke5-e6 44.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-f5 45.Rc6xf6+ Kf5xf6 46.Rd3-d6+ Kf6-f5 47.Rd6-h6 Kf5-g5 48.Rh6-h3 Kg5-f5 49.Kf2-e3 Kf5-e5 50.Rh3-h5+ Ke5-f6 51.Rh5-b5 2.79/17 ] 33...c6-c5 [Houdini annotates: 33...c6-c5 34.f2-f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 Kc3-d3 36.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g8 37.Ra7-g7 c4-c3 38.Re4-e3+ Kd3-c4 39.Rg7-c7+ Kc4-d4 40.Rc7xc3 Rf8xf6 41.Re3-d3+ Kd4-e5 42.Rc3-c5+ Ke5-e6

152 43.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-f5 44.Rc6xf6+ Kf5xf6 45.Rd3-d6+ Kf6-f5 46.Rd6-h6 Kf5-g5 47.Rh6-h3 Kg5-f5 48.Kf2-e3 Kf5-e5 49.Rh3-h5+ Ke5-f6 50.Rh5-b5 2.89/17 ] 34.f2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 34.f2-f3 c5-c4 35.Kg1-f2 h7-h6 36.Kf2-e3 h6-h5 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g6 38.Re4-e6 h5-h4 39.Re6-b6 Bg6-f7 40.Ke3-e4 Kc3-c2 41.Ra7-a2+ Kc2-c1

153

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.Rb6-c6 Rf8-e8+ 43.Ke4-d4 Re8-d8+ 44.Kd4-e5 Rd8-e8+ 45.Ke5-f5 Re8-e3 46.Ra2-a7 Bf7-d5 47.Rc6-c5 Re3xf3+ 48.Kf5-e5 Bd5-g8 2.72/17 ] 34...c5-c4 [ Houdini annotates: 34...Kc3-c2 35.Kg1-f2 c5-c4 36.Ra7-c7 Kc2-d3 37.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g8 38.Rc7-g7 c4-c3 39.Re4-e3+ Kd3-c4 40.Rg7-c7+ Kc4-d4 41.Rc7xc3 Rf8xf6 42.Re3-d3+ Kd4-e5 43.Rc3-c5+ Ke5-e6 44.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-f5 45.Rc6xf6+ Kf5xf6 46.Rd3-d4 h7-h5 47.Kf2-e3 Bg8-e6 48.Rd4-h4 Kf6-g6 49.Rh4-b4 Be6-d5 2.86/16 ] 35.Kg1-f2 [Houdini annotates: 35.Kg1-f2 Kc3-b2 36.Ra7-b7+ Kb2-c2 37.Rb7-c7 Kc2d3 38.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g8 39.Rc7-g7 c4-c3 40.Re4-e3+ Kd3-c4 41.Rg7-c7+ Kc4-d4 42.Rc7xc3 Rf8xf6 43.Re3-d3+ Kd4-e5 44.Rc3-c5+ Ke5-e6 45.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-f5 46.Rc6xf6+ Kf5xf6 47.Rd3-d4 h7-h5 48.Rd4-f4+ Kf6-e6 49.Rf4-f8 Bg8-h7 50.Kf2-e3 h5-h4 2.77/17 ] 35...Kc3-b3 [Houdini annotates: 35...Kc3-b2 36.Ra7-b7+ Kb2-c1 37.Rb7-c7 Kc1-c2 38.Rf4-d4 Kc2-c3 39.Rd4-d6 Bf7-g6 40.Kf2-e3 Bg6-f7 41.Ke3-e4 h7-h5 42.h2-h4 Rf8-e8+ 43.Ke4-f5 Re8-f8 44.Kf5-e5 Bf7-g8 45.Ke5-e4 Rf8-e8+ 46.Rc7-e7 Re8-f8 47.Ke4-e5 Kc3-b4 48.Re7-b7+ Kb4-c5 49.Rb7-c7+ Kc5-b4 50.Ke5-d4 2.84/16 ] 36.Ra7-b7+ Diagram [ 36.Ra7-b7+ Kb3-c2 37.Rb7-c7+- ; Houdini annotates: 36.Ra7-b7+ Kb3-c2 37.Rb7-c7 Kc2-d3 38.Rf4-e4 Bf7-g8 39.Rc7-g7 Bg8-f7 40.Re4-e7 Bf7-g6 41.Re7-d7+ Kd3-c3 42.f6-f7 Kc3-b4 43.Kf2-e3 c4-c3 44.Rd7-b7+ Kb4-c5 45.Rg7-g8 Rf8xf7 46.Rg8-c8+ Kc5-d6 47.Rb7xf7 Bg6xf7 48.Rc8xc3

Bf7-e6 49.Rc3-a3 Be6-c4 50.f3-f4 2.74/15 ] 1-0

154

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0{ 9+R+-+l+p0 72 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+p+-tR-+0 9+k+-+P+-0 9-+-+-mK-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 13

E35

Ivan Sokolov Levon Aronian 37th Chess Olympiad (7)

28.05.2006

E35: Nimzo-Indian: Classical: 4...d5 5 cxd5 exd5 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4 4.Qd1-c2 d7-d5 5.c4xd5 e6xd5 6.Bc1-g5 c7-c5 Diagram (Diagram 73) 7.d4xc5 h7-h6 8.Bg5-h4 g7-g5 9.Bh4-g3 Nf6-e4 10.Bg3xb8 Qd8-f6 11.Bb8-g3 Ne4xc3 12.a2-a3 Bc8-f5 Diagram (Diagram 74) 13.Qc2-d2 Bb4-a5 14.b2-b4 Nc3-e4 15.Qd2-c1 Ra8-c8 16.Ra1-a2 Rc8xc5 17.Qc1-a1 Qf6-c6 18.Qa1-

e5+ Ke8-d8 19.Qe5xh8+ Diagram Standard Book moves end here Kd8-d7 [ 19...Kd8-d7 20.Qh8-d8+ Kd7xd8 21.Ra2-c2 Rc5xc2 22.Bg3-c7+

155

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqk+-tr0 9zpp+-+pzpp0 73 9-+-+-sn-+0 9+-zpp+-vL-0 9-vl-zP-+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzPQ+PzPPzP0 9tR-+-mKLsNR0[ xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0 9zpp+-+p+-0 74 9-+-+-wq-zp0 9+-zPp+lzp-0 9-vl-+-+-+0 9zP-sn-+-vL-0 9-zPQ+PzPPzP0 9tR-+-mKLsNR0[ xiiiiiiiiy XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-mk-+-wQ0{ 9zpp+-+p+-0 75 9-+q+-+-zp0 9vl-trp+lzp-0 9-zP-+n+-+0 9zP-+-+-vL-0 9R+-+PzPPzP0 9+-+-mKLsNR0

xiiiiiiiiy

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ne4xf2# ] Ne4xf2# ] 0-1

14 E17 Levon Aronian David Navara 37th Chess Olympiad (11) 02.06.2006 E17: Queen's Indian: 4 g3 Bb7 5 Bg2 Be7 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Ng1-f3 b7-b6 4.g2-g3 Bc8-b7 5.Bf1-g2 Bf8-e7 6.Nb1-c3 Nf6-e4 7.Bc1-d2 f7-f5 8.Qd1-c2 Be7-f6 9.Nf3-e5 d7-d5 10.c4xd5 Ne4xc3 11.Ne5-f7 Qd8-d7 12.Bd2xc3 Bb7xd5 13.Bg2xd5 Qd7xd5 14.e2e4 f5xe4 15.Nf7xh8 Nb8-c6 Increasing the pressure on the isolated pawn on d4 16.0-0 Ke8-e7 17.Ra1-e1 Ba5xc7 23.e2-e3 Qc6-c3+ 24.Ke1-d1

156 The isolani on e4 becomes a target. Standard Book moves end here Ra8xh8 [Houdini annotates: 17...Ra8xh8 18.Re1xe4 Rh8-d8 19.Rf1-e1 Rd8-d6 20.Re4-f4 Ke7-d8 21.Qc2xh7 Kd8-c8 22.a2-a4 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.Rf4-f7 Rd6-c6 25.b2-b4 Kc8-b7 26.Qh7-e4 Qd5xe4 27.Re1xe4 Rc6-c4 28.Re4xe6 Rc4xb4 29.Re6-e7 Rb4-c4 30.h2-h3 Rc4-c2 31.Kg1-g2 1.69/16 ] 18.Re1xe4 [Houdini annotates: 18.b2-b4 Ke7-f7 19.Re1xe4 Rh8-d8 20.Rf1-e1 Rd8-d6 21.a2-a3 Qd5-c4 Diagram (Diagram 76) 22.Re1-c1 Kf7-g8 23.Bc3-b2 Qc4-d5 24.Re4-g4 a7-a5 25.b4xa5 Qd5xa5 26.Qc2-e4 Qa5-f5 1.51/15 ] 18...Rh8-d8 [Houdini annotates: 18...Rh8-d8 19.Rf1-e1 Rd8-d6 20.Re4-f4 Ke7-d8 21.Qc2xh7 Kd8-c8 22.a2-a4 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9zp-zp-+kzpp0 76 9-zpntrpvl-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zPqzPR+-+0 9zP-vL-+-zP-0 9-+Q+-zP-zP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 24.Rf4-f7 Rd6-c6 25.b2-b4 Kc8-b7 26.Qh7-e4 Qd5xe4 27.Re1xe4 Rc6-c4 28.Re4xe6 Rc4xb4 29.Re6-e7 Rb4-c4 30.h2-h3 Rc4-c2 31.Kg1-g2 1.65/15 ] 19.Rf1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 19.a2-a3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-+0{ 9zp-zp-mk-zpp0 77 9-zpn+pvl-+0 9+-+q+-+-0 9-+-zPR+-+0 9zP-vL-+-zP-0 9-zPQ+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke7-f7 20.Rf1-e1 Rd8-d6 21.Re4-f4 Kf7-g8 22.Qc2-e4 Nc6xd4 23.Qe4xd5 Rd6xd5 24.Bc3xd4 Rd5xd4 25.Rf4xd4 Bf6xd4 26.Re1xe6 Bd4xb2 27.Re6-e7 Bb2xa3 28.Re7xc7 a7-a5 29.Kg1-g2 Ba3-f8 1.52/13 ] 19...Rd8-d6

157 [ Houdini annotates: 19...Rd8-d6 20.Re4-f4 Ke7-d8 21.Qc2xh7 Kd8-c8 22.a2-a4 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Rf4-f7 Kc8-b7 25.b2-b4 Rd6-c6 24.Rf4-f7 Kc8-b7 25.b2-b4 Rd6-c6 26.Qh7-e4 Qd5xe4 27.Re1xe4 Rc6-c4 28.Re4xe6 Rc4xb4 29.Re6-e7 Rb4-c4 30.h2-h3 Rc4-c2 31.Kg1-g2 1.65/15 ] 20.Re4-f4 [Houdini annotates: 20.b2-b3 Ke7-f7 21.h2-h4 g7-g6 22.Re4-f4 Kf7-g7 23.Re1-e4 Rd6-d8 24.Bc3-b2 Rd8-d6 25.Qc2-c4 Qd5xc4 26.b3xc4 Nc6-b4 27.Bb2-a3 a7-a5 28.Ba3xb4 a5xb4 1.73/14 ] 20...g7-g6 [Houdini annotates: 20...Ke7-d8 21.Qc2xh7 Kd8-c8 22.a2-a4 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.Rf4-f7 Rd6-c6 25.b2-b4 Kc8-b7 26.Qh7-e4 Qd5xe4 27.Re1xe4 Rc6-c4 28.Re4xe6 Rc4xb4 29.Re6-e7 Rb4-c4 30.Kg1-g2 Bd4-f6 31.Re7-d7 Rc4-c2 1.65/14 ] 21.h2-h4 [ Houdini annotates: 21.b2-b3 Rd6-d7 22.Rf4-e4 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.Qc2-d2 Rd7-d6 25.Qd2h6 e6-e5 26.Qh6xh7+ Qd5-f7 27.Qh7xf7+ Ke7xf7 28.Kg1-g2 Rd6-d8 29.f2-f4 Kf7-e6 30.f4xe5 g6-g5 31.Re1-d1 c7-c5 32.Rd1-f1 Bd4xe5 1.71/13 ] 21...Rd6-d7 [ 21...Bf6xd4 22.Bc3xd4 Nc6xd4 23.Qc2xc7+ Rd6-d7 24.Qc7-c3+- ;Houdini annotates: 21...b6-b5 22.a2-a3 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.Qc2xc7+ Rd6-d7 25.Qc7-c2 Qd5-c4 26.Qc2-d2 Qc4-d5 27.Qd2-b4+ Bd4-c5 28.Qb4-c3 Bc5-d4 29.Qc3-c8 Rd7-d8 30.Qc8-a6 Rd8-d6 31.Qa6-a5 Bd4-b6 32.Qa5-c3 Bb6-d4 33.Qc3-c2 Qd5-c4 34.Qc2-d2 e6-e5 35.Rf4-f3 Ke7-d7 36.Rf3-f8 1.93/13 ] 22.h4-h5! Deflection: f6. [Houdini annotates: 22.h4-h5 Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.h5xg6 h7xg6 25.Qc2xg6 c7-c5 26.Rf4-f7+ Diagram Ke7-d6 27.Rf7xd7+ Kd6xd7 28.Qg6-f7+ Kd7-d6 29.Qf7xa7 c5-c4

158 30.Qa7-b8+ Kd6-d7 31.Re1-e2 Bd4-f6 32.Qb8-a7+ Kd7-c6 33.Qa7-a8+ Kc6-c5 34.Qa8xd5+ e6xd5 35.Kg1-f1

159

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9zp-+rmkR+-0 78 9-zp-+p+Q+0 9+-zpq+-+-0 9-+-vl-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy d5-d4 36.Re2-e6 Bf6-h8 37.Re6-h6 Bh8-g7 2.64/16 ] 22...Bf6xd4 [ 22...Qd5xh5 23.d4-d5 Combination ; 22...g6xh5 23.Qc2-f5 Double attack ( 23.Qc2xh7+ Decoy Deflection Pinning ); …22...-- 23.h5xg6 Wins material ;Houdini annotates: 22...Nc6xd4 23.Bc3xd4 Bf6xd4 24.h5xg6 h7xg6 25.Qc2xg6 c7-c5 26.Rf4-f7+ Ke7-d6 27.Rf7xd7+ Kd6xd7 28.Qg6-f7+ Kd7-d6 29.Qf7xa7 c5-c4 30.Qa7-b8+ Kd6-d7 31.Re1-e2 Bd4-h8 32.Qb8-a7+ Kd7-c8 33.Re2-e1 b6-b5 34.Qa7-a3 Kc8-d7 35.Qa3-b4 Bh8-d4 36.a2-a4 2.76/14 ] 23.h5xg6 [Houdini annotates: 23.h5xg6 h7xg6 24.Qc2xg6 Bd4-e5 25.Qg6-f7+ Ke7-d6 26.Qf7-f8+ Rd7-e7 27.Bc3xe5+ Nc6xe5 28.Re1xe5 Qd5xe5 29.Rf4-f7 Kd6-c6 30.Rf7xe7 Qe5xb2 Diagram (Diagram 79) 31.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-b5 32.Re7xc7 Qb2xa2 33.Qa8-e8+ Kb5-b4

34.Qe8-e7+ Kb4-b5 35.Qe7-d7+ Kb5-b4 36.Rc7xa7 Qa2-b1+ 37.Kg1-h2 Qb1-g6 38.Ra7-a4+ Kb4-c5 39.Qd7-c7+ Kc5-d5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-wQ-+0 9zp-zp-tR-+-0 79 9-zpk+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9Pwq-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 40.Qc7xb6 7.83/13 ] 23...h7xg6 [ Houdini annotates: 23...h7xg6 24.Qc2xg6 Bd4-e5 25.Qg6f7+ Ke7-d6 26.Qf7-f8+ Rd7e7 27.Bc3xe5+ Nc6xe5 28.Re1xe5 Qd5xe5 29.Rf4-f7 Kd6-c6 30.Rf7xe7 Qe5xb2 31.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-b5 32.Re7xc7 Qb2-b1+ 33.Kg1-g2 Qb1xa2 34.Rc7xa7 Qa2-b3 35.Qa8-e8+ Kb5-b4 36.Qe8e7+ Kb4-b5 37.Qe7-d7+ Kb5c5 38.Ra7-c7+ Kc5-b4 39.Rc7-c6 Qb3-d5+ 40.Qd7xd5 e6xd5 41.Rc6xb6+ Kb4-c4 42.Rb6-c6+ Kc4-d3 43.g3-g4 8.13/14 ] 24.Qc2xg6 [Houdini annotates: 24.Qc2xg6 Bd4-e5 25.Qg6-f7+ Ke7-d6 26.Qf7-f8+ Rd7-e7 27.Bc3xe5+ Diagram (Diagram 80) Nc6xe5 28.Re1xe5 Qd5xe5 29.Rf4-f7 Kd6-c6 30.Rf7xe7 Qe5xb2 31.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-b5 32.Re7xc7

160 Qb2xa2 33.Rc7xa7 Qa2-d5 34.Qa8-e8+ Qd5-c6 35.Qe8-h5+ Qc6-d5 36.g3-g4 Kb5-b4 37.Qh5xd5 e6xd5 38.g4-g5 d5-d4 7.15/12 ] 24...Nc6-e5 [ 24...Bd4-e5 otherwise it's

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-wQ-+0{ 9zp-zp-tr-+-0 80 9-zpnmkp+-+0 9+-+qvL-+-0 9-+-+-tR-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy curtains at once 25.Rf4-e4 Ke7-d6 26.Bc3xe5+ Nc6xe5 27.Re4xe5 Qd5xe5 28.Re1xe5 Kd6xe5 29.f2-f4+ Ke5-d5 30.Qg6-d3+ Kd5-c6 31.Qd3-e4+ Kc6-d6 32.Qe4-e5+ Kd6-c6 33.Qe5xe6+ Rd7-d6 34.Qe6-e4+ Kc6-d7+- ;Houdini annotates: 24...Bd4-e5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9zp-zprmk-+-0 81 9-zpn+p+Q+0 9+-+qvl-+-0 9-+-+-tR-+0 9+-vL-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 25.Qg6-f7+ Ke7-d6 26.Qf7-f8+ Rd7-e7 27.Bc3xe5+ Nc6xe5 28.Re1xe5 Qd5xe5 29.Rf4-f7 Kd6-c6 30.Rf7xe7 Qe5xb2 31.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-b5 32.Re7xc7 Qb2xa2 33.Rc7xa7

161 Qa2-d5 34.Qa8-e8+ Qd5-c6 35.Qe8-h5+ Qc6-d5 36.g3-g4 Kb5-b4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Qh5xd5 e6xd5 38.g4-g5 d5-d4 37.Qh5xd5 e6xd5 38.g4-g5 d5-d4 7.38/13 ] 25.Qg6-f6+ [ 25.Qg6-f6+ Ke7-d6 26.Rf4xd4+- ; 25.Rf4xd4?! is a useless try Ne5xg6 26.Rd4xd5 Rd7xd5² ;Houdini annotates: 25.Qg6-f6+ Ke7-d6 26.Rf4xd4 Kd6-c6 27.Rd4xd5 Rd7xd5 28.Qf6xe6+ Rd5-d6 29.Qe6xe5 Kc6-b7 30.Kg1g2 a7-a6 31.g3-g4 Kb7-a7 32.Qe5e7 Rd6-c6 33.g4-g5 a6-a5 34.f2-f4 b6b5 35.f4-f5 b5-b4 36.Bc3-d4+ Ka7b7 37.g5-g6 Rc6-c2+ 38.Kg2-f3 20.45/14 ] 1-0

15 Peter Leko Levon Aronian Dortmund Sparkassen (5)

C69

04.08.2006

C68: Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, sidelines 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5xc6 d7xc6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.d2-d3 Be7-f6 7.Nb1-d2 Ng8-e7 8.Nd2-c4 Ne7-g6 9.b2-b3 0-0 10.Bc1-b2 e5 seems Rf8-e8 the pivot of the position 11.h2-h3 a6-a5 12.a2-a4 c6-c5 13.Kg1-h1 b7-b6 14.Bb2-c3 Bc8-e6 15.Nf3-h2 Standard Book moves end here Be6xc4 [Houdini annotates: 15...Qd8e7 16.Nh2-g4 Be6xc4 17.d3xc4 Ra8-d8 18.Qd1-f3 Bf6-g5 19.Ra1-d1 c7-c6 20.g2-g3 h7-h5 21.Ng4-e3 Bg5xe3 22.Qf3xe3 h5-h4 23.Kh1-g2 Ng6-f8 24.Bc3-b2 Qe7-f6 25.Qe3-f3 Qf6-g5 26.Qf3-f5 -0.01/14 ] 16.b3xc4

162 [ Houdini annotates: 16.d3xc4 Ng6-f4 17.Nh2-g4 h7-h5 18.Ng4-e3 c7-c6 19.Qd1-f3 g7-g6 20.Rf1-e1 Qd8-e7 21.Qf3-g3 Re8-d8 22.Ne3-f5 Qe7-e6 23.Ra1-d1 Rd8xd1 24.Re1xd1 Ra8-d8 25.Rd1-d2 Rd8xd2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 26.Bc3xd2 0.00/17 ] 16...Qd8-d7 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 16...Qd8-d6 17.Qd1-f3 Qd6-e6 18.Bc3-b2 Bf6-g5 19.Qf3-h5 f7-f6 20.Nh2-f3 Bg5-h6 21.g2-g3 Re8-d8 22.Kh1-g2 Ng6-e7 23.Qh5-g4 Qe6-f7 24.Ra1-b1 0.01/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+-zpq+pzpp0 82 9-zp-+-vln+0 9zp-zp-zp-+-0 9P+P+P+-+0 9+-vLP+-+P0 9-+P+-zPPsN0 9tR-+Q+R+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 17.Qd1-g4 White threatens to win material: Qg4xd7 [Houdini annotates: 17.Rf1-e1 Ra8-d8 18.Kh1-g1 Bf6-g5 19.Qd1-h5 f7-f6 20.g2-g3 Ng6-h8 21.h3-h4 Bg5-h6 22.Kg1-g2 Nh8-f7 23.Nh2-g4 Re8-e7 24.Qh5-f5 Qd7xf5 25.e4xf5 Re7-d7 26.Ra1-b1 0.13/16 ] 17...Qd7-c6 [Houdini annotates : 17...Qd7-d6 18.Rf1-e1 Ng6-f4 19.Nh2-f1 c7-c6 20.Nf1-e3 Qd6-c7 21.Ra1-b1 h7-h5 22.Qg4-g3 g7-g6 23.Ne3-f5 Kg8-h7 24.Nf5-e3 Ra8-d8 25.Bc3-b2 Rd8-d6 -0.01/15 ] 18.g2-g3 Consolidates f4+h4 [ Houdini annotates: 18.Rf1-e1 Ra8-d8 19.Nh2-f1 Qc6-d7 20.Qg4xd7 Rd8xd7 21.Nf1-e3 Bf6-g5 22.Ne3-d5 Ng6-e7 23.g2-g3 f7-f6 24.h3-h4

163 Bg5-h6 25.Kh1-g2 Ne7xd5 26.c4xd5 Kg8-f7 27.Bc3-b2 0.25/16 ] 18...Ng6-f8 [Houdini annotates: 18...Ng6-e7 19.Kh1-g2 Qc6-d6 20.Qg4-f3 Ne7-c6 21.Nh2-g4 Nc6-b4 22.Ng4-e3 g7-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 23.h3-h4 h7-h5 24.Ne3-d5 Bf6-g7 23.h3-h4 h7-h5 24.Ne3-d5 Bf6-g7 25.Qf3-e2 Qd6-d7 26.Rf1-h1 Ra8-d8 27.Bc3-b2 0.09/17 ] 19.f2-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 19.Qg4-f3 Nf8-e6 20.Nh2-g4 Ne6-d4 21.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 22.Ng4xf6+ Qc6xf6 23.Qf3xf6 g7xf6 24.Kh1-g2 Kg8-f8 25.g3-g4 h7-h5 26.f2-f3 Kf8-e7 27.Ra1-b1 Re8-h8 28.Kg2-g3 h5-h4+ 29.Kg3-f4 Rh8-g8 30.Kf4-f5 Rg8-g5+ 31.Kf5-f4 0.27/18 ] 19...e5xf4 [Houdini annotates: 19...Nf8-g6 20.f4-f5 Ng6e7 21.Rf1-f2 Qc6-d7 22.Nh2-f1 Ne7-c6 23.Nf1-e3 Nc6-b4 24.Ne3-d5 Nb4xd5 25.e4xd5 Qd7-e7 26.Qg4-e4 h7-h5 27.h3-h4 Ra8-d8 28.Bc3-b2 Qe7-d6 29.Ra1-e1 0.00/16 ] 20.Bc3xf6 White has a mate threat [Houdini annotates : 20.Bc3xf6 Qc6xf6 21.Qg4xf4 Qf6-e7 22.Nh2-f3 Ra8-d8 23.Qf4-g4 Nf8-g6 24.Kh1-g2 h7-h6 25.h3-h4 Rd8-d6 26.h4-h5 Ng6-e5 27.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 28.Qg4-f5 Qe5-e7 29.e4-e5 Rd6-d7 30.Ra1-b1 -0.02/16 ] 20...Qc6xf6 [Houdini annotates: 20...Qc6xf6 21.Qg4xf4 Qf6-e7 22.Nh2-f3 Ra8-d8 23.Qf4-g4 Nf8-g6 24.Kh1-g2 h7-h6 25.h3-h4 Kg8-h8 26.Ra1-e1 Re8-f8 27.Qg4-f5 Rd8-d6 28.e4-e5 Rd6-e6 29.h4-h5 0.08/17 ] 21.g3xf4 Diagram [ 21.Qg4xf4 Qf6-e7= ;Houdini annotates: 21.Qg4xf4 Qf6-e7 22.Nh2-f3 Ra8-d8 23.Qf4-g4 Nf8-g6 24.Kh1-g2 h7-h6 25.h3-h4 Rd8-d6 26.h4-h5 Ng6-e5 27.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 28.Qg4-f5 Qe5-e7 29.e4-e5 Rd6-e6 30.Ra1-e1 Qe7-d7 31.Re1-e4 Re8-e7 32.Rf1-a1 0.01/18 ] (Diagram 83)

164 21...Qf6-g6 [ ¹21...Nf8-e6!? is worth consideration 22.f4-f5 Ne6-d4³ ;Houdini annotates: 21...Nf8-e6 22.f4-f5 Ne6-d4

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+rsnk+0{ 9+-zp-+pzpp0 83 9-zp-+-wq-+0 9zp-zp-+-+-0 9P+P+PzPQ+0 9+-+P+-+P0 9-+P+-+-sN0 9tR-+-+R+K0 xiiiiiiiiy 23.Qg4-g2 Ra8-d8 24.Rf1-g1 Kg8-h8 25.Nh2-g4 Qf6-d6 26.Ng4-e3 Re8-g8 27.Ne3-d5 g7-g6 28.f5xg6 Rg8xg6 29.Qg2-f2 Qd6-e5 30.Qf2xf7 Nd4xc2 31.Rg1xg6 h7xg6 -0.10/14 ] 22.f4-f5² White gains space [Houdini annotates x64: 22.Rf1-f2 Ra8-d8 23.Ra1-g1 Nf8-d7 24.Rf2-g2 Qg6xg4 25.Nh2xg4 g7-g6 26.Kh1-h2 Kg8-g7 27.Ng4-e3 Kg7-f8 28.Kh2-g3 c7-c6 29.Kg3-f3 Kf8-e7 30.Rg1-b1 h7-h5 31.e4-e5 0.29/18 ] 22...Qg6xg4 [Houdini annotates : 22...Qg6-d6 23.Rf1-g1 g7-g6 24.Qg4-h4 Nf8-d7 25.Nh2-g4 Kg8-h8 26.Ra1-f1 Qd6-e7 27.Qh4-h6 c7-c6 28.Qh6-f4 Re8-f8 29.Kh1-h2 Ra8-c8 30.Kh2-g2 Qe7-h4 31.Ng4-h6 Qh4xf4 32.Rf1xf4 0.38/17 ] 23.h3xg4 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Nh2xg4 Nf8-d7 24.Ng4-e3 f7-f6 25.Ne3-d5 Ra8-c8 26.Ra1-b1 Nd7-e5 27.Kh1-g2 Ne5-c6 28.Rf1-f3 Kg8-f7 29.Rf3-f2 Nc6-e5 30.Nd5-f4 Re8-g8 31.Rb1-g1 g7-g6 32.f5xg6+ h7xg6 33.Nf4-d5 f6-f5 34.Kg2-g3 0.23/19 ] 23...f7-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 23...h7-h6

165 24.Kh1-g2 Nf8-d7 25.Nh2-f3 f7-f6 26.Kg2-g3 Kg8-f7 27.Rf1-h1 Nd7-e5 28.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 29.Ra1-f1 Re5-e8 30.Rf1-d1 Kf7-e7 31.Rd1-b1 Ra8-c8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Kg3-g2 0.15/19 ] 24.Nh2-f3 32.Kg3-g2 0.15/19 ] 24.Nh2-f3 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Rf1-g1 h7-h6 25.Nh2-f1 Nf8-d7 26.Nf1-e3 Nd7-e5 27.Kh1-g2 Ra8-d8 28.Ne3-d5 Rd8-d7 29.Kg2-g3 Kg8-f7 30.Rg1-h1 Ne5-c6 31.Rh1-h2 Re8-f8 32.Nd5-f4 Rf8-g8 33.Ra1-h1 Rg8-e8 34.Rh1-b1 Nc6-e5 35.Nf4-e6 Ne5-c6 36.Rb1-e1 Nc6-d4 37.Ne6-f4 Re8-e5 38.Nf4-d5 Re5-e8 0.16/20 ] 24...Ra8-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 24...h7-h6 25.Kh1-g2 Nf8-d7 26.Kg2-g3 Kg8-f7 27.Rf1-h1 Nd7-e5 28.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 29.Ra1-b1 Kf7-e7 30.Kg3-h4 Ra8-h8 31.Rb1-b5 Rh8-c8 32.Kh4-g3 Rc8-h8 33.Rb5-b2 Ke7-d6 34.Rb2-b1 Re5-e8 35.Kg3-f4 0.15/19 ] 25.Kh1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 25.g4-g5 f6xg5 26.Nf3xg5 Rd8-d6 27.Rf1-f2 Rd6-h6+ 28.Kh1-g1 Rh6-f6 29.Rf2-g2 g7-g6 30.Kg1-h2 h7-h6 31.Ng5-h3 Kg8-f7 32.Nh3-f4 g6xf5 33.Nf4-d5 Rf6-g6 34.Nd5xc7 Re8-e5 35.Ra1-f1 0.37/17 ] 25...Rd8-d6 [Houdini annotates: 25...h7-h6 26.Kg2-g3 Nf8-d7 27.Nf3-h4 Nd7-e5 28.Nh4-g2 Ne5-f7 29.Ng2-f4 Nf7-g5 30.Nf4-g6 Kg8-f7 31.Ra1-e1 Ng5-e6 32.Rf1-f2 Rd8-a8 33.Rf2-h2 Ne6-g5 34.Rh2-h1 Ra8-b8 35.e4-e5 Rb8-a8 36.Re1-e2 f6xe5 37.Rh1-e1 0.25/19 ] 26.Kg2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Ra1-e1 Nf8-d7 27.g4-g5 g7-g6 28.f5xg6 h7xg6 29.Rf1-h1 Nd7-e5 30.Rh1h3 Ne5-f7 31.g5xf6 Rd6xf6 32.Rh3-h4 Re8-f8 33.Re1-h1 g6-g5 34.Rh4-g4 Rf6xf3 35.Kg2xf3 Nf7-e5+ 36.Kf3-g3 Ne5xg4 37.Kg3xg4 Rf8-f2 0.35/18 ] 26...Nf8-d7 [Houdini annotates: 26...h7-h6 27.Ra1-e1 Nf8-d7 28.Nf3-h4 Nd7-e5 29.Nh4-g2 Ne5-c6 30.Ng2-f4 Kg8-f7 31.Rf1-f2 Rd6-d7

166 32.Re1-h1 Re8-d8 33.Rh1-b1 Rd8-e8 34.Rf2-h2 Nc6-e5 35.Nf4-e6 Ne5-c6 36.Rb1-e1 Nc6-d4 37.Ne6-f4 Nd4-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Rh2-f2 Nc6-d4 39.Nf4-g6 Rd7-d8 40.Rf2-h2 Re8-g8 0.27/19 ] 27.Kg3-f4 [ 27.g4-g5 Nd7-e5 28.Nf3xe5 f6xe5² ; Houdini annotates: 27.g4-g5 g7-g6 28.f5xg6 h7xg6 29.Rf1-f2 Kg8-g7 30.Ra1-h1 f6xg5 31.Nf3xg5 Nd7-f6 32.Kg3-g2 Rd6-d8 33.Rf2-f1 Re8-e5 34.Ng5-f3 Re5-e6 35.Rf1-f2 Nf6-h5 36.Nf3-g5 Re6-f6 0.36/17 ] 27...h7-h6 Covers g5 [Houdini annotates: 27...h7-h6 28.Kf4-g3 Nd7-e5 29.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d4 30.Ra1-e1 Kg8-f7 31.Nh4-g2 Ne5-c6 32.Ng2-f4 Rd4-d6 33.Rf1-f2 Rd6-d7 34.Re1-h1 Re8-d8 35.Rh1-b1 Rd8-e8 36.Rf2-h2 Nc6-d4 37.Nf4-g6 Rd7-d8 38.Ng6-f4 Rd8-d7 39.Nf4-g6 0.27/18 ] 28.Kf4-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Kf4-g3 Nd7-e5 29.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d4 30.Ra1-e1 Kg8-f7 31.Nh4-g2 Ne5-c6 32.Ng2-f4 Rd4-d6 33.Rf1-f2 Rd6-d7 34.Re1-h1 Nc6-d4 35.Rh1-e1 Nd4-c6 36.Re1-h1 0.16/19 ] 28...Kg8-f7 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Nd7-b8 29.Nf3-h4 Nb8-c6 30.Nh4-g6 Nc6-e5 31.Ng6xe5 Re8xe5 32.Ke3-f3 Rd6-d8 33.Kf3-g3 Kg8-f7 34.Ra1-b1 Re5-e8 35.Kg3-h4 Re8-h8 36.Rf1-h1 Rd8-d7 37.Kh4-g3 Rd7-d8 38.Kg3-f4 Rh8-e8 39.Rb1-b3 Re8-h8 40.Kf4-g3 Rd8-a8 41.Rb3-b5 Ra8-d8 42.Rb5-b1 Rh8-e8 43.Rb1-e1 Re8-e7 44.Re1-d1 Re7-d7 45.Rd1-b1 Kf7-e7 46.Kg3-h3 Rd7-d4 47.Kh3-h4 Ke7-d6 48.Kh4-h5 Kd6-c6 49.Kh5-g6 0.18/19 ] 29.Ra1-d1 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Ke3-f2 Nd7-e5 30.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 31.Kf2-g3 Rd6-d8 32.Ra1-b1 Re5-e8 33.Kg3-h4 Re8-h8 34.Kh4-h5 Rd8-d7 35.Rf1-h1 Rh8-e8 36.Rb1-b3 Rd7-d8 37.Kh5-h4 Re8-h8 38.Kh4-g3 Rh8-e8 39.Rb3-b5 Re8-h8 40.Kg3-h4 Rd8-e8 41.Rh1-e1

167 Re8-e5 42.Kh4-g3 Re5-e7 43.Re1-f1 Rh8-e8 44.Kg3-f4 Re7-d7 45.Rf1-e1 Rd7-d8 46.Kf4-g3 Rd8-d4 47.Re1-b1

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kf7-e7 48.Kg3-h4 Ke7-f7 49.Kh4-h5 Kf7-e7 48.Kg3-h4 Ke7-f7 49.Kh4-h5 Re8-d8 50.Rb1-h1 Rd8-h8 51.Rh1-b1 Rh8-d8 52.Rb1-h1 0.07/20 ] 29...Rd6-c6 [Houdini annotates: 29...Nd7-e5 30.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 31.Ke3-f4 Re5-e8 32.Rd1-e1 Rd6-d8 33.Rf1-f3 Re8-e5 34.Re1-g1 Rd8-e8 35.Rf3-f1 Kf7-e7 36.Rf1-b1 Ke7-d6 37.Rb1-b5 Re5-e7 38.Rg1-d1 Kd6-d7 39.Rd1-f1 Kd7-c6 40.Rf1-g1 Kc6-b7 41.Rg1-f1 c7-c6 42.Rb5-b1 0.11/19 ] 30.Rf1-g1 [Houdini annotates: 30.Ke3-f2 Nd7-e5 31.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 32.Kf2-g3 Rc6-d6 33.Rf1-h1 Rd6-d8 34.Rd1-f1 Kf7-e7 35.Kg3-h4 Rd8-h8 36.Rf1-c1 Rh8-d8 37.Rc1-b1 Ke7-d6 38.Kh4-h5 Re5-e7 39.Kh5-g6 Rd8-h8 40.Rh1-h3 Rh8-f8 0.07/19 ] 30...Re8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 30...Rc6-d6 31.Rg1-h1 Kf7-e7 32.Ke3-f4 Nd7-b8 33.Rd1-e1 Nb8-c6 34.e4-e5 f6xe5+ 35.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 36.Re1xe5+ Ke7-f8 37.Re5xe8+ Kf8xe8 38.Rh1-d1 Ke8-e7 39.Rd1-e1+ Ke7-f6 40.Kf4-f3 g7-g6 41.f5xg6 Kf6xg6 42.Re1-e7 Rd6-f6+ 43.Kf3-e3 0.14/18 ] 31.Rd1-d2 [ Houdini annotates: 31.Ke3-f4 Rc6-d6 32.Nf3-h4 Nd7-e5 33.Nh4-g2 Re7-e8 34.Ng2-e3 Rd6-d7 35.Kf4-g3 Ne5-c6 36.Ne3-d5 Nc6-b4 37.Rd1-c1 Nb4-c6 38.Rg1-g2 Re8-d8 39.Rc1-e1 Rd8-e8 40.Re1-h1 Nc6-d4 41.Nd5-f4 Re8-d8 42.Nf4-d5 0.16/20 ] 31...Rc6-d6 [Houdini annotates: 31...Rc6-d6 32.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 33.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 34.Rd2-h2 Re5-e8 35.Rg1-e1 Rd6-d8 36.Re1-h1 Re8-h8 37.Rh2-h5 Rd8-d4 0.13/22 ] 32.Rd2-d1 [Houdini annotates: 32.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 33.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 34.Rd2-h2 Re5-e8 35.Kf4-g3 Diagram

168 Kf7-e7 36.Kg3-h4 Rd6-d7 37.Kh4-h5 Ke7-f7 38.Rh2-h1 Re8-a8 39.Rg1-b1 Rd7-d6 40.Rh1-h3 Ra8-d8 41.Rb1-e1

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+-+0{ 9+-zp-+kzp-0 84 9-zp-tr-zp-zp0 9zp-zp-+P+-0 9P+P+P+P+0 9+-+P+-mK-0 9-+P+-+-tR0 9+-+-+-tR-0 xiiiiiiiiy Rd8-e8 42.Rh3-h2 Rd6-d7 43.Rh2-h1 Re8-e5 44.Re1-a1 Rd7-d6 45.Ra1-b1 0.07/21 ] 32...Rd6-c6 Twofold repetition [Houdini annotates: 32...Rd6-c6 0.11/21 ] 33.Rd1-e1 [ Houdini annotates: 33.Ke3-f4 Rc6-d6 34.Nf3-e1 Nd7-e5 35.Ne1-g2 Re7-e8 36.Ng2-e3 Rd6-d7 37.Rg1-h1 c7-c6 38.Rd1-b1 Re8-b8 39.Rb1-b3 Rd7-b7 40.Rh1-b1 Kf7-g8 41.Kf4-g3 Kg8-f8 42.Rb1-f1 Kf8-f7 0.12/19 ] 33...Rc6-d6 [Houdini annotates: 33...Rc6-d6 34.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 35.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 36.Kf4-g3 Rd6-d8 37.Rg1-f1 Rd8-h8 38.Rf1-h1 Re5-e8 39.Kg3-f4 Re8-d8 40.Kf4-f3 Rd8-e8 41.Re1-b1 Re8-d8 42.Kf3-g3 Rd8-b8 43.Kg3-f4 Rh8-f8 44.Kf4-g3 0.17/20 ] 34.Rg1-g2 [Houdini annotates: 34.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 35.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 36.Rg1-f1 Re5-e8 37.Kf4-g3 Rd6-d8 38.Re1-b1 Kf7-e7 39.Kg3-h4 Rd8-d7 40.Kh4-h5 Ke7-f7 41.Rf1-h1 Rd7-d8 42.Kh5-h4 Rd8-d7 43.Kh4-g3 Kf7-e7 44.Rb1-b2 Ke7-d6 45.Kg3-f4 Rd7-e7 46.Rh1-e1 Kd6-c6 47.Kf4-f3 Re7-e5 48.Kf3-g3 Re5-e7 49.Re1-h1 Kc6-b7

169 50.Rh1-d1 0.08/20 ] 34...Rd6-c6 [ Houdini annotates: 34...Nd7-e5 35.Nf3-g1 Kf7-e8 36.Ng1-e2 Ne5-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Ne2-f4 Ke8-d8 38.Nf4-d5 Re7-e8 37.Ne2-f4 Ke8-d8 38.Nf4-d5 Re7-e8 39.Re1-h1 Kd8-c8 40.Rh1-b1 Rd6-d7 41.Ke3-f4 Kc8-b7 42.Kf4-g3 Rd7-d6 43.Rg2-h2 Nc6-d4 44.c2-c3 Nd4-c6 45.Rh2-b2 Nc6-e5 0.15/19 ] 35.Re1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 35.Nf3-g1 Rc6-d6 36.Ng1-e2 Nd7-e5 37.Ne2-f4 Rd6-d8 38.Nf4-e6 Rd8-d6 39.Ke3-f2 Ne5-c6 40.Ne6-f4 Nc6-d4 41.Kf2-g3 Re7-e8 42.Rg2-h2 Rd6-d7 43.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 44.Re1-b1 Re8-b8 45.Rb1-b2 Rb8-e8 46.Nd5-f4 Nc6-d4 47.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 48.Nd5-f4 0.16/20 ] 35...Rc6-d6 [Houdini annotates: 35...Rc6-d6 36.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 37.Nf3-g1 Kf7-e8 38.Ng1-e2 Ke8-d7 39.Rb1-f1 Ne5-f7 40.Kf4-g3 Nf7-g5 41.Ne2-f4 Re7-e8 42.Rg2-e2 Kd7-c6 43.Nf4-g6 Kc6-b7 44.Rf1-b1 Rd6-d8 45.e4-e5 f6xe5 46.Ng6xe5 Rd8-d4 0.17/20 ] 36.Nf3-g1 [Houdini annotates: 36.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 37.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 38.Rg2-g1 Re5e8 39.Kf4-g3 Kf7-e7 40.Rg1-h1 Rd6-d7 41.Rb1-b2 Ke7-d6 42.Kg3-f4 Kd6-c6 43.Rb2-b5 Kc6-d6 44.Rh1-d1 Kd6-c6 45.Rd1-g1 Rd7-d4 46.Rg1-e1 Re8-d8 0.08/20 ] 36...Nd7-e5 [Houdini annotates: 36...Nd7-e5 37.Ke3-f4 Kf7-e8 38.Ng1-e2 Ke8-d7 39.Rb1-f1 Ne5-f7 40.Kf4-g3 Nf7-g5 41.Ne2-f4 Re7-e8 42.Rf1-b1 Kd7-c6 43.Rg2-h2 Kc6-b7 44.Nf4-d5 Rd6-d8 45.Rh2-h1 Rd8-d7 46.Nd5-f4 Rd7-d4 47.Nf4-d5 Re8-d8 0.16/19 ] 37.Ng1-e2 [Houdini annotates: 37.Ke3-f4 Ne5-c6 38.Kf4g3 Nc6-b4 39.Rb1-b2 Nb4xd3 40.c2xd3 Rd6xd3+ 41.Kg3-f4 Rd3-d4 42.Rg2-e2 Rd4xc4 43.Rb2-a2 Rc4-b4 44.Ng1-f3 Re7-e8 45.Ra2-a3 Re8-d8 46.Re2-c2 Rd8-e8 47.Nf3-d2 Rb4-d4

170 48.Ra3-a2 Re8-e5 49.Rc2-c3 0.11/17 ] 37...Re7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 37...Kf7-e8 38.Ne2-f4 Ke8-d7 39.Rg2-g1 Re7-e8 40.Nf4-e6 Re8-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 41.Ke3-f2 Ne5-c6 42.Ne6-f4 Re7-e8 43.Kf2-g2 Nc6-d4 44.Rb1-b2 Nd4-c6 45.Rg1-h1 Kd7-c8 46.Nf4-e6 Nc6-d4 47.Ne6xg7 Re8-g8 48.e4-e5 f6xe5 0.18/18 ] 38.Ne2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 38.Ne2-f4 Ne5-c6 39.Ke3f2 Nc6-d4 40.Kf2-g3 Re8-d8 41.Rg2-h2 Rd6-d7 42.Rh2-f2 Nd4-c6 43.Rb1-e1 Rd8-c8 44.Nf4-g6 Rc8-e8 45.Rf2-h2 Nc6-e5 46.Ng6-f4 Ne5-c6 47.Nf4-d5 Nc6-e5 48.Rh2-h1 Re8-d8 49.Nd5-f4 0.16/20 ] 38...Rd6-d4 [Houdini annotates : 38...Kf7-e7 39.Ke3-f4 Rd6-d7 40.Nc3-d5+ Ke7-d6 41.Kf4-g3 Ne5-f7 42.Rg2-h2 Nf7-g5 43.Rh2-h1 Kd6-c6 44.Rb1-b3 Kc6-d6 45.Rb3-b5 Kd6-e5 46.Nd5-f4 Ke5-d4 47.Nf4-g6 0.17/18 ] 39.Ke3-f4 [Houdini annotates: 39.Nc3-d5 Ne5xc4+ 40.d3xc4 Re8xe4+ 41.Ke3-f3 Rd4xc4 42.Nd5xc7 Re4-f4+ 43.Kf3-e2 h6-h5 44.Nc7-e6 Rc4xc2+ 45.Ke2-e3 Rc2xg2 46.Ne6xf4 Rg2-g3+ 47.Ke3-f2 h5-h4 48.Rb1xb6 Rg3xg4 49.Rb6-b7+ Kf7-g8 50.Kf2-f3 Rg4-g3+ 51.Kf3-e4 Kg8-h7 52.Nf4-h5 Rg3-g4+ 53.Ke4-f3 Rg4xa4 54.Nh5xf6+ Kh7-h6 55.Nf6-e4 c5-c4 56.Ne4-c3 Ra4-a3 0.20/18 ] 39...Rd4-d7 [Houdini annotates: 39...Kf7-e7 40.Kf4-g3 Rd4-d7 41.Nc3-e2 Ne5-f7 42.Ne2-f4 Ke7-d6 43.Rg2-h2 Nf7-g5 44.Nf4-g6 Rd7-d8 45.Rh2-e2 Kd6-c6 46.e4-e5 f6xe5 47.Re2xe5 Re8xe5 48.Ng6xe5+ Kc6-b7 49.Rb1-e1 0.20/17 ] 40.Nc3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 40.Rb1-b3 g7-g5+ 41.Kf4-g3 Ne5xd3 42.c2xd3 Rd7xd3+ 43.Kg3-h2 Re8xe4 44.Nc3xe4 Rd3xb3 45.Rg2-d2 Kf7-e7

171 46.Rd2-c2 Ke7-f7 47.Ne4-c3 Rb3-b4 48.Nc3-d5 Rb4xa4 49.Nd5xc7 Ra4-b4 50.Nc7-d5 Rb4-b3 51.Rc2-e2 a5-a4 52.Re2-e7+ Kf7-f8 0.14/17 ] 40...Ne5-c6 [Houdini annotates: 40...c7-c6 41.Nd5-e3 Rd7-b7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.Rg2-g1 Re8-b8 43.Rg1-h1 b6-b5 42.Rg2-g1 Re8-b8 43.Rg1-h1 b6-b5 44.c4xb5 c6xb5 45.a4xb5 Rb7xb5 46.Rb1-a1 Rb8-a8 47.Ra1-a3 Kf7-e7 48.Ne3-d5+ Ke7-d6 49.Rh1-a1 Kd6-c6 50.Ra3-a4 Rb5-b2 51.Ra4xa5 Ra8xa5 52.Ra1xa5 Rb2xc2 53.Ra5-a6+ Kc6-b5 54.Ra6-b6+ 0.19/17 ] 41.Kf4-e3 [Houdini annotates: 41.Kf4-g3 Nc6-d4 42.Nd5-f4 Kf7-g8 43.Nf4-g6 Kg8-f7 44.Rg2-h2 Rd7-d8 45.Ng6-f4 Rd8-d7 46.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 47.Rb1-h1 Nc6-d4 48.Rh2-f2 Re8-d8 49.Nd5-f4 Rd8-h8 50.Kg3-h3 Nd4-c6 51.Rf2-g2 Rh8-d8 52.Nf4-e6 Rd8-e8 53.Kh3-g3 Nc6-d4 54.Ne6-f4 Nd4-c6 55.Rh1-b1 Nc6-b4 56.Nf4-e6 Nb4-c6 57.Rb1-e1 Nc6-d4 58.Ne6-f4 Nd4-c6 59.Nf4-e6 Nc6-d4 0.16/19 ] 41...Nc6-e5 [Houdini annotates: 41...Nc6-d4 42.Rg2-f2 Nd4-c6 43.Ke3-f3 Nc6-b4 44.Nd5-f4 Nb4-a2 45.Rb1-a1 Na2-b4 46.Rf2-g2 Nb4-c6 47.Kf3-g3 Nc6-d4 48.Ra1-b1 Nd4-c6 49.Rg2-h2 Nc6-d4 50.Nf4-d5 Re8-g8 51.Rb1-f1 Rg8-e8 52.Rf1-e1 Re8-e5 53.Re1-f1 0.27/17 ] 42.Nd5-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 42.Nd5-f4 Ne5-c6 43.Ke3-f2 Nc6-b4 44.Kf2-g3 Nb4-c6 45.Rg2-h2 Nc6-d4 46.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 47.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 48.Rh1-e1 Rd8-e8 49.Re1-b1 Nc6-d4 50.c2-c3 Nd4-c6 51.Rb1-b2 Nc6-e5 0.16/20 ] 42...Rd7-d6 [Houdini annotates: 42...Rd7-d4 43.Nc3-b5 0.11/19 ] 43.Nc3-e2 [Houdini annotates: 43.Rb1-e1 Rd6-d7 44.Nc3-d5 Ne5-c6 45.Ke3-f3 Nc6-b4 46.Nd5-f4 Nb4-c6 47.Rg2-h2 Nc6-e5+ 48.Kf3-g3 Ne5-c6 49.Nf4-d5 Nc6-e5 50.Re1-b1 Ne5-c6 51.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 52.Rh1-e1 Rd8-e8 53.Re1-b1 Nc6-d4 54.c2-c3 Nd4-c6 55.Rb1-b2 Nc6-e5 0.16/20 ]

172 43...Rd6-d7 [Houdini annotates: 43...Ne5-c6 44.Ne2-f4 Nc6-d4 45.Rg2-h2 Rd6-d7 46.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 47.Ke3-f3 Nc6-b4 48.Kf3-f4 Nb4xd5+ 49.c4xd5 Re8-d8 50.c2-c3 Rd7-e7 51.Rb1-f1 Re7-e5 52.Kf4-g3 c5-c4 0.21/18 ] 44.Ke3-f4 [Houdini annotates: 44.Ne2-f4 Ne5-c6 45.Ke3-f2 Nc6-b4 46.Kf2-g3 Nb4-c6 47.Rg2-h2 Nc6-d4 48.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 49.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 50.Rh1-e1 Rd8-h8 51.Rh2-g2 Rh8-d8 52.Re1-f1 Nc6-d4 53.Rf1-b1 Nd4-c6 54.Rg2-h2 Rd8-e8 55.Rb1-h1 0.16/20 ] 44...Re8-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 44...Re8-h8 45.Rg2-h2 g7-g5+ 46.f5xg6+ Ne5xg6+ 47.Kf4-g3 Ng6-e5 48.Ne2-f4 Rh8-g8 49.Rh2-h4 Rg8-g7 50.Rb1-f1 c7-c6 51.Nf4-h5 Rg7-g6 52.Rf1-f2 Rd7-d8 53.Rf2-f5 Rd8-e8 54.Nh5-f4 Rg6-g8 0.19/17 ] 45.Ne2-g1 [Houdini annotates: 45.Rb1-f1 Ne5-c6 46.Kf4g3 Nc6-d4 47.Ne2-f4 Rd8-e8 48.Nf4-g6 Nd4-c6 49.Rg2-h2 Nc6-d4 50.Rf1-b1 Rd7-d8 51.Ng6-f4 Rd8-d6 52.Nf4-d5 Rd6-d7 53.c2-c3 Nd4-c6 54.Rb1-b2 Nc6-e5 0.16/19 ] 45...Rd7-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 45...Rd8-g8 46.Rg2-f2 Rd7-e7 47.Ng1-f3 Ne5xf3 48.Rf2xf3 Rg8-d8 49.Rf3-h3 Re7-e8 50.Rh3-h2 Rd8-d4 51.Kf4-f3 Kf7-e7 52.Rh2-h1 Ke7-d7 53.Kf3-g3 Kd7-c6 54.Rh1-h2 Kc6-d7 55.Rh2-h1 Kd7-c6 0.07/17 ] 46.Ng1-f3 White threatens to win material: Nf3xe5 [Houdini annotates: 46.Kf4-g3 Ne5xd3 47.c2xd3 Rd6xd3+ 48.Ng1-f3 Rd8-d4 49.Kg3-f4 Rd4xc4 50.Rb1-a1 Rd3-d7 51.Ra1-a3 Rd7-e7 52.Rg2-e2 Rc4-b4 53.Nf3-e1 c5-c4 54.Ne1-c2 Rb4-b3 55.Ra3-a1 Rb3-d3 56.e4-e5 g7-g5+ 57.f5xg6+ Kf7xg6 0.14/17 ] 46...Ne5-d7 [Houdini annotates:

173 46...Ne5xf3 47.Kf4xf3 Rd8-e8 48.Rg2-h2 Kf7-e7 49.Kf3-g3 Rd6-d7 50.Rh2-h1 Ke7-d6 51.Kg3-f4 Rd7-d8 52.Rh1-e1 Re8-e7 53.Rb1-b5 Rd8-e8 54.Re1-h1 Re7-e5 55.Kf4-g3 Kd6-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 56.Rb5-b3 Re8-d8 57.Rh1-b1 Rd8-d4 56.Rb5-b3 Re8-d8 57.Rh1-b1 Rd8-d4 58.Rb1-h1 Re5-e8 0.06/19 ] 47.Rb1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 47.Rb1-e1 Rd8-e8 48.Rg2-h2 Nd7-e5 49.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d8 50.Kf4-g3 Re8-e7 51.Nh4-g2 Re7-e8 52.Ng2-f4 Ne5-c6 53.Re1-h1 Rd8-d6 54.Nf4-d5 Rd6-d7 55.Rh1-b1 Nc6-d4 56.c2-c3 Nd4-c6 57.Rb1-b2 Nc6-e5 0.16/21 ] 47...Rd8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 47...Rd8-f8 48.Rg2-f2 Kf7-g8 49.Kf4-g3 Kg8-f7 50.Rf2-h2 Nd7-e5 51.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d7 52.Nh4-g2 Ne5-c6 53.Ng2-f4 Rf8-b8 54.Re1-h1 Rb8-e8 55.Rh1-b1 Re8-f8 56.Nf4-d5 Rf8-e8 57.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 58.Rh1-e1 Rd8-e8 59.Re1-b1 Nc6-d4 60.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 61.Nd5-f4 Rd8-e8 62.Rh1-b1 Rd7-d8 63.Nf4-g6 Rd8-d6 64.Rb1-e1 c7-c6 65.e4-e5 0.27/19 ] 48.Rg2-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Rg2-h2 Nd7-e5 49.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d8 50.Kf4-g3 Re8-e7 51.Nh4-g2 Re7-e8 52.Ng2-f4 Ne5-c6 53.Re1-h1 Rd8-d7 54.Rh1-b1 Nc6-d4 55.Nf4-d5 Nd4-c6 56.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 57.Rh1-e1 Rd8-e8 58.Re1-b1 Nc6-d4 59.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 60.Nd5-f4 Rd8-e8 61.Rh1-b1 Rd7-d8 62.Nf4-g6 Rd8-d6 63.Rb1-e1 Rd6-d8 64.Re1-e3 Rd8-a8 0.16/21 Diagram (Diagram 85) ] 48...Re8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 48...Nd7-e5 49.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d8 50.Re2-h2 Kf7-e7 51.Kf4-g3 Ke7-d6 52.Nh4-g2 Ne5-f7 53.Ng2-f4 Nf7-g5 54.Nf4-g6 Kd6-c6 55.Re1-h1 Rd8-d4 56.Rh1-b1 Kc6-b7 57.Rh2-h1 Re8-d8 0.14/18 ] 49.Kf4-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 49.Kf4-g3 Nd7-e5 50.Nf3-h4 Rd6-d8 51.Re2-h2

174 Re7-d7 52.Nh4-g2 Ne5-c6 53.Ng2-f4 Rd8-b8 54.Re1-h1 Rb8-e8 55.Rh1-b1 Nc6-d4 56.Nf4-g6 Nd4-c6 57.Rb1-e1

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+-+0 9+-zp-+kzp-0 85 9-zp-+-zpNzp0 9zp-zp-+P+-0 9P+PsnP+P+0 9+-+PtR-mK-0 9-+P+-+-tR0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Nc6-e5 58.Ng6-f4 Ne5-c6 59.Nf4-d5 Nc6-e5 60.Re1-b1 Ne5-c6 61.Rb1-h1 Re8-d8 62.Rh2-h5 Nc6-d4 0.16/21 ] 49...Re7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 49...Nd7-e5 50.Nf3xe5+ Re7xe5 51.Ke3-d2 Rd6-d8 52.Re1-b1 Kf7-e7 53.Kd2-e3 Ke7-d6 54.Ke3-f4 Re5-e8 55.Re2-h2 Kd6-c6 56.Kf4-f3 Re8-e5 57.Rh2-h1 Kc6-d6 58.Kf3-f4 Rd8-e8 59.Rb1-b5 Re5-e7 60.Rh1-b1 Kd6-c6 61.Kf4-g3 Re7-d7 62.Rb1-h1 Rd7-d4 63.Rb5-b1 Kc6-d7 64.Kg3-f4 Kd7-c6 65.Kf4-g3 Kc6-d7 0.06/21 ] 50.Re1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 50.Re2-h2 Nd7-e5 51.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 52.Ke3-f2 Kf7-e7 53.Kf2-g3 Rd6-d8 54.Kg3-h4 Ke7-d6 55.Rh2-h1 Re5-e7 56.Kh4-h5 Kd6-e5 57.Re1-f1 Ke5-d4 58.Kh5-g6 Kd4-c3 59.Rh1-h2 Kc3-b4 60.Rf1-a1 0.07/20 ] 50...Re8-d8 [Houdini annotates: 50...Nd7-e5 51.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 52.Ke3-f4 Rd6-d8 53.Rd1-g1 Rd8-e8 54.Rg1-h1 Kf7-e7 55.Re2-e1 Ke7-d6 56.Re1-b1 Re8-d8 57.Rh1-h2 Re5-e7 58.Rh2-h1 Re7-e8 59.Rb1-b5 Kd6-c6 60.Kf4-g3 Rd8-d4 61.Rb5-b1 Kc6-d6 62.Kg3-f4 Kd6-c6 63.Kf4-g3

175 Kc6-d6 0.06/21 ] 51.Re2-d2 [ Houdini annotates: 51.Rd1-b1 Rd8-e8 52.Ke3-f4 Nd7-e5 53.Nf3xe5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8xe5 54.Rb1-h1 Re5-e8 55.Kf4-g3 Re8xe5 54.Rb1-h1 Re5-e8 55.Kf4-g3 Rd6-d8 56.Re2-e1 Rd8-d4 57.Re1-b1 Kf7-e7 58.Kg3-h4 Ke7-f7 59.Kh4-h5 Re8-d8 60.Rb1-b5 Rd8-f8 61.Kh5-h4 Rf8-e8 62.Kh4-g3 Kf7-e7 63.Kg3-h4 Ke7-f7 64.Kh4-g3 0.08/20 ] 51...Kf7-e7 [Houdini annotates: 51...Rd8-e8 52.Rd1-b1 Nd7-e5 53.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 54.Rd2-h2 Rd6-d8 55.Rh2-h1 Kf7-e7 56.Ke3-f3 Ke7-d6 57.Kf3-f4 Kd6-c6 58.Kf4-g3 Rd8-d4 59.Rb1-b5 Re5-e8 60.Rb5-b1 Kc6-d6 61.Kg3-f4 Re8-e5 62.Kf4-f3 Re5-e8 63.Kf3-f4 Re8-e5 0.06/21 ] 52.Ke3-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 52.c2-c3 Rd6-c6 53.Rd1-c1 Ke7-f7 54.d3-d4 Rc6-d6 55.Rc1-d1 Rd8-e8 56.Ke3f4 c5xd4 57.c3xd4 Kf7-g8 58.Rd1e1 Kg8-f8 59.Re1-c1 Kf8-g8 60.Rd2-e2 Kg8-f7 61.Re2-e3 Rd6-c6 62.e4-e5 f6xe5+ 63.d4xe5 0.27/18 ] 52...Rd8e8 [Houdini annotates: 52...Rd8-f8 53.Rd2-h2 Ke7-d8 54.c2-c3 Kd8-c8 55.Rh2-d2 Rd6-c6 56.Rd1-c1 Rf8-e8 57.d3-d4 Rc6-d6 58.Rc1-e1 Rd6-c6 59.Rd2-c2 c5xd4 60.c3xd4 Rc6-d6 61.Rc2-b2 Kc8-b7 62.c4-c5 0.20/17 ] 53.Kf4-e3 [Houdini annotates: 53.Rd1-b1 Ke7-f7 54.Rd2-h2 Nd7-e5 55.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 56.Rh2-h1 Re5-e8 57.Kf4-f3 Rd6-d4 58.Rb1-e1 Rd4-d8 59.Kf3-g3 Kf7-e7 60.Kg3-h4 Ke7-f7 61.Re1-b1 Rd8-d6 62.Kh4-g3 Rd6-d4 63.Kg3-f2 Re8-d8 64.Kf2-f3 Kf7-e7 65.Rh1-h2 Rd8-e8 0.08/18 ] 53...Re8-d8 [Houdini annotates: 53...Ke7-f7 54.Rd1-b1 Nd7-e5 55.Nf3xe5+ Re8xe5 56.Rd2-h2 Rd6-d8 57.Rh2-h1 Kf7-e7 58.Ke3-f3 Ke7-d6 59.Kf3-f4 Kd6-c6 60.Kf4-g3 Rd8-d4 61.Rb1-b5 Re5-e8 62.Rb5-b1 Kc6-d6 63.Kg3-f4 Kd6-c6 64.Kf4-g3

176 Kc6-d6 0.06/20 ] 54.c2-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 54.c2-c3 Rd6-c6 55.Rd1-c1 Ke7-f7 56.d3-d4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rc6-d6 57.Rc1-d1 Rd8-e8 58.Ke3-f4 Rd6-c6 59.Rd2-c2 Rc6-d6 60.Rd1-b1 Kf7-g8 61.Rc2-e2 Kg8-f8 62.e4-e5 f6xe5+ 63.d4xe5 Rd6-d3 64.e5-e6 Nd7-f6 65.Nf3-e5 Rd3xc3 0.17/19 ] 54...Nd7-e5 [Houdini annotates: 54...Rd6-c6 55.Rd1-c1 Ke7-f7 56.d3-d4 Rc6-d6 57.Rc1-d1 Rd8-e8 58.Ke3-f4 c5xd4 59.c3xd4 Rd6-c6 60.Rd1-c1 Rc6-d6 61.Rc1-h1 Rd6-c6 62.Rd2-c2 Rc6-d6 63.Rc2-e2 c7-c6 64.e4-e5 f6xe5+ 65.d4xe5 0.17/17 ] 55.Nf3xe5 [Houdini annotates: 55.Nf3xe5 f6xe5 56.d3-d4 Ke7-f6 57.d4-d5 Rd8-f8 58.Rd1-h1 Rd6-d8 59.Rh1-h5 Rf8-h8 60.Rd2-h2 Rh8-g8 61.Rh2-g2 Rd8-d6 62.g4-g5+ Kf6-f7 63.Ke3-f2 h6xg5 64.Rh5xg5 Rd6-h6 65.Rg5-g6 Rh6xg6 66.Rg2xg6 Rg8-d8 67.Rg6-e6 Rd8-e8 68.Re6-c6 Re8-e7 69.Rc6-g6 Re7-e8 70.Rg6-c6 Re8-e7 0.40/20 ] 55...f6xe5 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 55...f6xe5 56.d3-d4 Ke7-f6 57.d4-d5 Rd8-f8 58.Rd1-h1 Rd6-d8 59.Rd2-g2 Rf8-h8 60.Rh1-h5 Kf6-f7 61.g4-g5 h6xg5 62.Rh5xg5 Rh8-h7 63.Rg5-g6 Rd8-d6 64.Rg2-g3 Rd6-f6 65.Ke3-d3 Rf6-d6 66.Kd3-e3 Rd6-f6 0.50/18 ] (Diagram 86) A double rook endgame occured 56.d3-d4 White threatens to win material: d4xe5 [Houdini annotates: 56.d3-d4 Ke7-f6 57.d4-d5 Rd8-f8 58.Rd1-h1 Rd6-d8 59.Rd2-g2 Rf8-h8 60.Rh1-h5 Kf6-f7 61.Rg2-d2 Kf7-f6 62.Rd2-h2 Rh8-g8 63.Rh2-g2 Rd8-d6 64.Rg2-d2 Rg8-h8 65.g4-g5+ Kf6-f7 66.Rd2-h2 Rh8-g8 67.g5xh6 0.40/19 ] 56...Ke7-f6 [Houdini annotates:

177 56...e5xd4+ 57.c3xd4 Rd6xd4 58.Rd2xd4 c5xd4+ 59.Rd1xd4 Rd8-h8 60.Rd4-d5 Ke7-e8 61.c4-c5 h6-h5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-+0 9+-zp-mk-zp-0 86 9-zp-tr-+-zp0 9zp-zp-zpP+-0 9P+P+P+P+0 9+-zPPmK-+-0 9-+-tR-+-+0 9+-+R+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 62.c5xb6 c7xb6 63.g4xh5 Rh8xh5 64.Rd5-d6 Rh5-h3+ 65.Ke3-f4 Rh3-b3 66.Rd6-c6 b6-b5 67.a4xb5 Rb3xb5 68.Rc6-c7 Ke8-f8 69.Rc7-a7 0.44/17 ] 57.d4xe5+ [Houdini annotates: 57.d4-d5 Rd8-f8 58.Rd1-h1 Rd6-d8 59.Rh1-h5 Rf8-h8 60.Ke3-f3 Rh8-f8 61.g4-g5+ h6xg5 62.Rd2-g2 Rf8-h8 63.Rh5xg5 Rh8-h3+ 64.Kf3-f2 Rh3-h7 65.Rg5-g6+ Kf6-f7 66.Rg6-c6 Rd8-d7 67.Kf2-g3 Rh7-h8 68.Kg3-g4 Rd7-e7 69.Kg4-g5 Rh8-h3 0.41/20 ] 57...Kf6xe5 [Houdini annotates: 57...Kf6xe5 58.Rd2-d5+ Rd6xd5 59.c4xd5 Rd8-d6 60.Rd1-g1 g7-g5 61.Rg1-h1 Rd6-f6 62.Rh1-h2 Rf6-d6 63.Ke3-d3 Rd6-f6 64.Rh2-a2 Rf6-d6 65.Ra2-f2 Ke5-f6 66.Rf2-h2 Kf6-e5 67.Rh2-h1 Rd6-f6 68.Rh1-e1 Rf6-d6 69.Re1-e2 Ke5-f4 70.c3-c4 Kf4-e5 71.Re2-h2 Ke5-f4 72.Rh2-f2+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf2-h2 Ke5-f4 0.35/22 ] 58.Rd2-d5+ [Houdini annotates: 58.Rd2-d5+ Rd6xd5 59.c4xd5 Rd8-d6 60.Rd1-g1 g7-g5 61.Rg1-h1 Rd6-f6 62.Rh1-h2 Rf6-d6 63.Ke3-d3 Rd6-f6 64.Rh2-a2 Rf6-d6 65.Ra2-f2 Ke5-f6 66.Rf2-h2 Kf6-e5 67.Rh2-h1 Rd6-f6

178 68.Rh1-e1 Rf6-d6 69.Re1-e2 Ke5-f4 70.c3-c4 Kf4-e5 71.Re2-h2 Ke5-f4

179

Levon Aronian's Best Games 72.Rh2-f2+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf2-h2 Ke5-f4 0.26/23 ] 58...Rd6xd5 [Houdini annotates : 58...Rd6xd5 59.c4xd5 Rd8-d6 60.Rd1-g1 g7-g5 61.Rg1-h1 Rd6-f6 62.Rh1-h2 Rf6-d6 63.Ke3-d3 Rd6-f6 64.Rh2-a2 Rf6-d6 65.Ra2-f2 Ke5-f6 66.Rf2-h2 Kf6-e5 67.Rh2-h1 Rd6-f6 68.Rh1-e1 Rf6-d6 69.Re1-e2 Ke5-f4 70.c3-c4 Kf4-e5 71.Re2-h2 Ke5-f4 72.Rh2-f2+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf2-h2 Ke5-f4 0.35/20 ] 59.c4xd5 [ 59.Rd1xd5+? Rd8xd5 60.e4xd5 h6-h5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 59.c4xd5 Rd8-d6 60.Rd1-g1 g7-g5 61.Rg1-h1 Rd6-f6 62.Rh1-h2 Rf6-d6 63.Ke3-d3 Rd6-f6 64.Rh2-a2 Rf6-d6 65.Ra2-f2 Ke5-f6 66.Rf2-h2 Kf6-e5 67.Rh2-h1 Rd6-f6 68.Rh1-e1 Rf6-d6 69.Re1-e2 Ke5-f4 70.c3-c4 Kf4-e5 71.Re2-h2 Ke5-f4 72.Rh2-f2+ Kf4-e5 73.Rf2-h2 Ke5-f4 0.26/21 ] 59...b6-b5 [ 59...Rd8-d7!?² must definitely be considered ;Houdini annotates: 59...Rd8-d6 60.Rd1-g1 Rd6-f6 61.c3-c4 g7-g5 62.Rg1-h1 Rf6-d6 63.Rh1-h2 Rd6-f6 64.Rh2-f2 Rf6-d6 65.Rf2-e2 Ke5-f6 66.Re2-h2 Kf6-e5 67.Rh2-h1 Rd6-f6 68.Rh1-f1 Rf6-d6 69.Rf1-f2 Ke5-f6 70.Rf2-h2 Kf6-e5 0.28/19 ] 60.a4xb5± [Houdini annotates: 60.a4xb5 a5-a4 61.Rd1-a1 Rd8-a8 62.Ra1-a3 c5-c4 63.d5-d6 c7xd6 64.b5-b6 Ra8-b8 65.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb6 66.Ra4-a8 Ke5-f6 67.Ra8-e8 Kf6-f7 68.Re8-e6 Rb6-b1 69.Re6xd6 Rb1-g1 70.Rd6-g6 Rg1-d1 71.e4-e5 Rd1-d3+ 72.Ke3-e4 Rd3xc3 73.Rg6-c6 Rc3-c1 74.Ke4-d4 Rc1-d1+ 75.Kd4xc4 Rd1-c1+ 76.Kc4-d5 Rc1-d1+ 77.Kd5-c5 Rd1-c1+ 78.Kc5-b5 Rc1-b1+ 79.Kb5-c5

Rb1-c1+ 80.Kc5-b5 0.70/21 ] 60...a5-a4 [Houdini annotates: 60...a5-a4 61.Rd1-a1 Rd8-a8 62.Ra1-a3 c5-c4 63.d5-d6 c7xd6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 64.b5-b6 Ra8-b8 65.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb6 64.b5-b6 Ra8-b8 65.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb6 66.Ra4-a8 Ke5-f6 67.Ra8-e8 Kf6-f7 68.Re8-e6 Rb6-b1 69.Re6xd6 Rb1-g1 70.Rd6-g6 Rg1-d1 71.e4-e5 Rd1-d3+ 72.Ke3-e4 Rd3xc3 73.Rg6-c6 Rc3-c1 74.Ke4-d4 Rc1-d1+ 75.Kd4xc4 Rd1-c1+ 76.Kc4-d5 Rc1-d1+ 77.Kd5-c5 Rd1-c1+ 78.Kc5-b5 Rc1-b1+ 79.Kb5-c5 Rb1-c1+ 80.Kc5-b5 0.78/21 ] 61.Ke3-d3 [ ¹61.Rd1-f1 Rd8-f8 62.Rf1-a1± ; Houdini annotates: 61.Rd1-a1 Rd8-a8 62.Ra1-a3 c5-c4 63.d5-d6 c7xd6 64.b5-b6 Ra8-b8 65.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb6 66.Ra4-a8 Ke5-f6 67.Ra8-e8 Kf6-f7 68.Re8-e6 Rb6-b1 69.Re6xd6 Rb1-g1 70.Rd6-g6 Rg1-d1 71.e4-e5 Rd1-d3+ 72.Ke3-e4 Rd3xc3 73.Rg6-c6 Rc3-c1 74.Ke4-d4 Rc1-d1+ 75.Kd4xc4 Rd1-c1+ 76.Kc4-d5 Rc1-d1+ 77.Kd5-c5 Rd1-c1+ 78.Kc5-b5 Rc1-b1+ 79.Kb5-c5 Rb1-c1+ 80.Kc5-b5 0.70/19 ] 61...Ke5-d6?? [ ¹61...a4-a3= is the best chance ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 61...a4-a3 62.Rd1-a1 Rd8-a8 63.Ra1-a2 Ra8-a4 64.c3-c4 Ra4-a8 65.Kd3-e3 Ra8-a4 66.Ke3-d3 Ra4-a8 0.37/16 ] 62.Rd1-a1+Diagram [Houdini annotates: 62.Rd1-a1 Rd8-a8 63.Ra1-a3 Ra8-b8 64.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb5 65.Ra4-a6+ Kd6-e7 66.e4-e5 Rb5-b1 67.Ra6e6+ Ke7-f7 68.Kd3-c4 Rb1-a1 69.Kc4xc5 Ra1-a3 70.Kc5-b4 Ra3-a7 71.Re6-g6 Kf7-f8 72.e5-e6 Ra7-a2 73.Kb4-c5 Ra2-c2 74.c3-c4 Rc2-f2 75.Kc5-c6 2.48/17 ] (Diagram 87)

180 62...Rd8-a8 [Houdini annotates: 62...Rd8-a8 63.Ra1-a3 Ra8-b8 64.Ra3xa4 Rb8xb5 65.Ra4-a6+ Kd6-e7 66.e4-e5 Rb5-b1 67.Ra6-e6+

181

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-+0{ 9+-zp-+-zp-0 87 9-+-mk-+-zp0 9+PzpP+P+-0 9p+-+P+P+0 9+-zPK+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9tR-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke7-f7 68.Kd3-c4 Rb1-a1 69.Kc4xc5 Ra1-a3 70.Kc5-b4 Ra3-a7 71.Re6-g6 Kf7-f8 72.e5-e6 Ra7-a2 73.Kb4-c5 Ra2-c2 74.c3-c4 Rc2-f2 75.Kc5-c6 2.58/18 ] 63.Ra1-a3 [ 63.Ra1-a3 Ra8-a5 64.Kd3-c4+- ;Houdini annotates: 63.Ra1-a3 Ra8-a7 64.Kd3-c4 Ra7-a5 65.e4-e5+ Kd6xe5 66.Kc4xc5 Ke5-f4 67.Kc5-b4 Ra5-a8 68.d5-d6 c7xd6 69.Ra3xa4 Ra8-b8 70.Kb4-a5+ Kf4-e5 71.b5-b6 d6-d5 72.Ka5-a6 Ke5-d6 73.Ka6-a7 Rb8-e8 74.Ra4-a6 Kd6-c6 75.b6-b7+ Kc6-c7 76.Ra6-e6 2.35/18 ] 1-0

16

D27

Levon Aronian Alexander Morozevich Tal Memorial (1) 06.11.2006 D27: Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical main line: 7 e4!? and 7 a4 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.Ng1-f3 e7-e6 3.c2-c4 d5xc4 4.e2-e3 a7-a6 5.a2-a4 Ng8-f6 6.Bf1xc4 c7-c5 7.0-0 Nb8-c6

8.Qd1-e2 Bf8-e7 9.Rf1-d1 Qd8-c7 10.d4xc5 0-0 11.b2-b3 e6-e5 12.h2-h3 e5-e4 13.Nf3-d4 Nc6-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 14.b3-b4 b7-b6 15.Nb1-d2 b6xc5 14.b3-b4 b7-b6 15.Nb1-d2 b6xc5 16.b4xc5 Be7xc5 17.Bc1-a3 Bc5xa3 18.Ra1xa3 Ne5-g6 last book move. Black has an active position last book move 19.Nd2-f1 [ 19.Ra3-c3 Ng6-h4² ;Houdini annotates: 19.Ra3-c3 Qc7-a5 20.Rc3-c1 Qa5-g5 21.f2-f4 e4xf3 22.Nd4xf3 Qg5-h6 23.Bc4-b3 Ra8-b8 24.Rc1-c7 Bc8-d7 25.Qe2-d3 Rf8-c8 26.Rc7-a7 Rc8-c5 27.Nd2-e4 Nf6xe4 28.Ra7xd7 0.41/15 ] 19...Qc7-c5 Black threatens to win material: Qc5xa3 [ 19...Ng6e5!? 20.Rd1-c1 Rf8-d8= ;Houdini annotates: 19...Bc8-d7 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+-wql+pzpp0 88 9p+-+-snn+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+LsNp+-+0 9tR-+-zP-+P0 9-+-+QzPP+0 9+-+R+NmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 20.Nf1-g3 Ng6-e5 21.Bc4-b3 Rf8-c8 22.Ra3-a2 Ra8-b8 23.Ra2-c2 Qc7-b7 24.Rc2xc8+ Bd7xc8 25.Rd1-b1 Qb7-c7 26.Qe2-c2 Qc7xc2 27.Bb3xc2 Rb8xb1+ 28.Bc2xb1 Bc8-b7 0.18/16 ] 20.Ra3-c3² [Houdini annotates: 20.Ra3-b3 Bc8-d7 21.Rb3-b7 Ng6-e5 22.Nf1-d2 Bd7xa4 23.Rd1-c1 Ne5xc4 24.Qe2xc4 Qc5xc4 25.Rc1xc4 Ba4-d7 26.Nd2xe4 Nf6xe4 27.Rb7xd7 Ra8-b8 28.Rc4-c7 Rb8-b1+ 29.Kg1-h2 Ne4xf2 0.28/15 ] 20...Qc5-g5

182 [ Houdini annotates: 20...Qc5-e5 Diagram 21.Nf1-g3 Ng6-e7 22.Rc3-c1 Bc8-d7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0 9+-+-+pzpp0 89 9p+-+-snn+0 9+-+-wq-+-0 9P+LsNp+-+0 9+-tR-zP-+P0 9-+-+QzPP+0 9+-+R+NmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 23.Qe2-a2 Ra8-b8 24.a4-a5 Bd7-c8 25.Rc1-b1 Rb8xb1 26.Rd1xb1 g7-g6 27.Qa2-c2 Rf8-d8 28.Rb1-b6 Nf6-d5 29.Ng3xe4 Nd5xb6 30.a5xb6 0.36/16 ] 21.Nf1-g3 [Houdini annotates: 21.Nf1-g3 Bc8-d7 22.Bc4-b3 Qg5-e5 23.Rd1-c1 Ng6-f4 24.e3xf4 Qe5xd4 25.Rc3-e3 Qd4-b4 26.Rc1-b1 Qb4-d6 27.Rb1-d1 Qd6xf4 28.Ng3xe4 Bd7-c6 29.Ne4-d6 Bc6xa4 30.Bb3xa4 Qf4xa4 31.Re3-e7 Ra8-b8 32.Kg1-h1 Rb8-b2 0.39/17 ] 21...h7-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Bc8-d7 22.Bc4-b3 Qg5-e5 23.Rd1-c1 Ng6-e7 24.Rc3-c5 Qe5-d6 25.Qe2-c4 Ra8-c8 26.Rc5xc8 Bd7xc8 27.Qc4-c2 Qd6-e5 28.Qc2-c7 Qe5xc7 29.Rc1xc7 Nf6-d5 30.Bb3xd5 Ne7xd5 0.47/16 ] 22.Kg1-h1 [Houdini annotates: 22.Qe2-c2 Bc8xh3 23.g2xh3 h5-h4 24.Bc4xf7+ Rf8xf7 25.Rc3-c5 Nf6-d5 26.Nd4-e6 Qg5-e7 27.Qc2xe4 h4xg3 28.Qe4xd5 g3xf2+ 29.Kg1-f1 Qe7-b7 30.Qd5xb7 Rf7xb7 31.Rd1-d6 Ng6-f8 32.Rc5-c7 Rb7-b1+ 33.Kf1xf2 Nf8xe6 34.Rd6xe6 Ra8-f8+ 35.Kf2-g2 Rb1-b2+ 36.Kg2-g3 Rf8-f6 37.Re6xf6

183 g7xf6 38.Rc7-c6 Rb2-e2 39.Kg3-f3 Re2-h2 40.Kf3-g4 Rh2-g2+ 41.Kg4-f4 0.96/14 ] 22...Ng6-h4

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ ¹22...h5-h4!? is an interesting alternative 23.Ng3-f1 Bc8-d7= ; Houdini annotates: 22...h5-h4 [ ¹22...h5-h4!? is an interesting alternative 23.Ng3-f1 Bc8-d7= ; Houdini annotates: 22...h5-h4 23.Ng3-f1 Ng6-e5 24.Nf1-d2 Ra8-b8 25.Nd2-b3 Bc8-b7 26.Nb3-c5 Nf6-d5 27.Bc4xd5 Bb7xd5 28.Nc5xa6 Rb8-b6 29.Na6-c7 Bd5-b7 30.Rc3-c5 Rb6-g6 31.Qe2-f1 Qg5-e7 32.Rd1-c1 Ne5-d3 0.15/16 ] 23.Qe2-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Rd1-c1 Bc8-d7 24.Bc4-b3 Ra8-b8 25.Qe2-f1 Qg5-g6 26.Rc3-c5 Rb8-b6 27.a4-a5 Rb6-d6 28.Bb3-c4 Rf8-b8 29.Bc4xa6 Nh4xg2 30.Nd4-f5 Bd7xf5 31.Ng3xf5 Rd6-e6 32.Qf1xg2 Qg6xg2+ 33.Kh1xg2 Re6xa6 34.Rc5-c8+ Rb8xc8 35.Rc1xc8+ Kg8-h7 0.95/16 ] 23...Nh4xg2 [ 23...Bc8-d7 24.Bc4-b3² ;Houdini annotates: 23...Bc8-d7 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+-+l+pzp-0 90 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+-+-+-wqp0 9P+LsNp+-sn0 9+-tR-zP-sNP0 9-+Q+-zPP+0 9+-+R+-+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 24.Bc4-f1 Qg5-e5 25.Rc3-c5 Qe5-e8 26.Rc5-a5 Nh4-g6 27.Ng3-f5 Bd7xf5 28.Nd4xf5 Ra8-c8 29.Bf1-c4 Ng6-e5 30.Nf5-d6 Qe8-e6 31.Ra5xe5 Qe6xe5 32.Bc4xf7+ Kg8-h7 33.Nd6xc8

184 Rf8xf7 0.75/16 ] 24.Kh1xg2 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Ng3xe4 Nf6xe4 25.Qc2xe4 Bc8xh3 26.Nd4-f3 Qg5-g4 27.Qe4xg4 h5xg4 28.Nf3-g5 Ra8-a7 29.Ng5xh3 g4xh3 30.Kh1-h2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ng2-h4 31.Kh2xh3 Nh4-f5 32.e3-e4 Nf5-e7 33.Rc3-g3 Rf8-b8 34.Kh3-g2 Ne7-c6 35.Bc4-d5 0.53/15 ] 24...h5-h4 [Houdini annotates: 24...h5-h4 25.Bc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 26.Rc3-c5 Bc8xh3+ 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6 30.Rc5-a5 Ra8-b8 31.Qb3-e6 Qg4xe6 32.Nd4xe6 h4xg3 33.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b6 34.Ra5-g5+ Kg6-f7 35.Ne6-d8+ Kf7-e8 36.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 37.Rg5-e5+ Ke8-f8 38.Nd8-e6+ Kf8-g8 39.Re5-g5 Kg8-f7 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c2 0.65/18 ] 25.Bc4xf7+ [ Houdini annotates: 25.Bc4xf7+ Kg8xf7 26.Rc3-c5 Bc8xh3+ 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6 30.Rc5-a5 Ra8-b8 31.Qb3-e6 Qg4xe6 32.Nd4xe6 h4xg3 33.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b6 34.Ra5-g5+ Kg6-f7 35.Ne6-d8+ Kf7-e8 36.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 37.Rg5-e5+ Ke8-f8 38.Nd8-e6+ Kf8-g8 39.Re5-g5 Kg8-f7 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c1 42.Kg3-g2 Rc1-c2 0.51/17 ] 25...Kg8xf7 [Houdini annotates: 25...Kg8xf7 26.Rc3-c5 Bc8xh3+ 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6 30.Rc5-a5 Ra8-b8 31.Qb3-e6 Qg4xe6 32.Nd4xe6 h4xg3 33.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b6 34.Ra5-g5+ Kg6-f7 35.Ne6-d8+ Kf7-e8 36.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 37.Rg5-e5+ Ke8-f8 38.Nd8-e6+ Kf8-g8 39.Re5-g5 Kg8-f7 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c1 42.Kg3-g2 Rc1-c2 0.74/16 ] 26.Rc3-c5 [Houdini annotates: 26.Rc3-c5 Bc8xh3+ 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6 30.Rc5-a5 Ra8-b8 31.Qb3-e6 Qg4xe6 32.Nd4xe6 h4xg3 33.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b6 34.Ra5-g5+

185 Kg6-f7 35.Ne6-d8+ Kf7-e8 36.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 37.Rg5-e5+ Ke8-f8 38.Nd8-e6+ Kf8-g8 39.Re5-g5 Kg8-f7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c1 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c1 42.Kg3-g2 Rc1-c2 0.51/17 ] 26...Bc8xh3+ [Houdini annotates: 26...Bc8xh3+ 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6 30.Rc5-a5 Ra8-b8 31.Qb3-e6 Qg4xe6 32.Nd4xe6 h4xg3 33.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b6 34.Ra5-g5+ Kg6-f7 35.Ne6-d8+ Kf7-e8 36.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 37.Rg5-e5+ Ke8-f8 38.Nd8-e6+ Kf8-g8 39.Re5g5 Kg8-f7 40.Rd1-d6 g7-g6 41.Rd6xa6 Rc8-c1 42.Kg3-g2 Rc1-c2 0.73/18 ] 27.Kg2xh3 [Houdini annotates: 27.Kg2xh3 Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Rc5-c7+ Kf7-g6 30.Rd1-c1 Rc8xc7 31.Qc2xc7 h4xg3 32.Qc7xg3 Qg4xg3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ra8-d8 34.Rc1-c6 a6-a5 35.Nd4-e6 Rd8-a8 36.Rc6-c5 Ra8-a6 37.Ne6-d4 Nf6-d7 38.Rc5-c7 Nd7-e5 39.Kg3-f4 Ne5-d3+ 40.Kf4xe4 Nd3xf2+ 41.Ke4-d5 Nf2-d3 0.54/17 ] 27...Qg5-g4+ [ Houdini annotates: 27...Qg5-g4+ 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Rc5-c7+ Kf7-g6 30.Rd1-c1 Rc8xc7 31.Qc2xc7 h4xg3 32.Qc7xg3 Qg4xg3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ra8-d8 34.Rc1-c6 a6-a5 35.Nd4-e6 Rd8-a8 36.Rc6-c5 Ra8-a6 37.Rc5-e5 Ra6-a7 38.Re5-g5+ Kg6-h6 39.Rg5-b5 g7-g6 40.Kg3-g2 Ra7-a8 41.Rb5-b1 Ra8-c8 42.Rb1h1+ Nf6-h5 0.63/17 ] 28.Kh3g2 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Kh3-g2 Rf8-c8 29.Rc5-c7+ Kf7-g6 30.Rd1-c1 Rc8xc7 31.Qc2xc7 h4xg3 32.Qc7xg3 Qg4xg3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ra8-d8 34.Rc1-c6 a6-a5 35.Nd4-e6 Rd8-a8 36.Rc6-c5 Ra8-a6 37.Ne6-d4 Nf6-d7 38.Rc5-c7 Nd7-e5 39.Kg3-f4 Ne5-d3+ 40.Kf4xe4 Nd3xf2+ 41.Ke4-d5 Nf2-d3 0.55/18 ] 28...h4xg3?

186 [ 28...Ra8-d8 29.Qc2-b3+ Kf7-g6² ; Houdini annotates: 28...Rf8-c8 29.Rc5-c7+ Kf7-g6 30.Rd1-c1 Rc8xc7 31.Qc2xc7 h4xg3 32.Qc7xg3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qg4xg3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ra8-d8 34.Rc1-c7 Rd8-d5 35.Nd4-e6 Rd5-a5 36.Rc7xg7+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-tR-0 91 9p+-+Nsnk+0 9tr-+-+-+-0 9P+-+p+-+0 9+-+-zP-mK-0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg6-h6 37.Rg7-c7 Ra5xa4 38.Rc7-c6 Ra4-a2 39.Ne6-c5 Kh6-g5 40.Rc6xa6 Ra2xa6 41.Nc5xa6 Nf6-d7 0.51/15 ] 29.f2-f3+- [Houdini annotates: 29.f2-f3 e4xf3+ 30.Nd4xf3 Kf7-g8 31.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d5 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2 Ra8-b8 35.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 36.a4-a5 Rb6-f6 37.Rc2-b2 Rf6-f1 38.Rb2-b6 Rf8-f6 39.Rg4-e4 Rf1-g1+ 40.Kg3-h4 Rg1-f1 41.Kh4-g5 Kg8-h7 42.Re4-h4+ Kh7-g8 43.Rb6xf6 g7xf6+ 44.Kg5-g6 2.92/16 ] 29...e4xf3+ [ Houdini annotates: 29...e4xf3+ 30.Nd4xf3 Kf7-g8 31.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d5 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2 Ra8-b8 35.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 36.a4-a5 Rb6-f6 37.Rc2-b2 Rf6-f1 38.Rb2-b6 Rf8-f6 39.Rg4-e4 Rf1-g1+ 40.Kg3-h4 Rg1-f1 41.Kh4-g5 Kg8-h7 42.Re4-h4+ Kh7-g8 43.Rb6xf6 g7xf6+ 44.Kg5-g6 3.20/17 ] 30.Nd4xf3 [Houdini annotates: 30.Nd4xf3 Kf7-g8 31.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d5

187 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2 Ra8-b8 35.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 36.a4-a5 Rb6-f6 37.Rc2-b2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf6-f1 38.Nd4-e6 Rf1-g1+ 39.Rb2-g2 Rf6-f1 38.Nd4-e6 Rf1-g1+ 39.Rb2-g2 Rg1xg2+ 40.Kg3xg2 Rf8-f7 41.Kg2-g3 Rf7-e7 42.Ne6-c5 3.05/15 ] 30...Kf7-g8 [Houdini annotates: 30...Kf7-g8 31.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d5 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2 Ra8-b8 35.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 36.Rc2-c7 Rf8-f7 37.Rc7c8+ Rf7-f8 38.Rc8-c1 Rb6-f6 39.Rc1-c7 Rf8-f7 40.Rc7-c6 Rf6xc6 41.Nd4xc6 Rf7-f1 42.Nc6-e5 Rf1-f5 43.Rg4-e4 a6-a5 44.Re4-e2 3.22/16 ] 31.Qc2-a2+ [ ¹31.Rd1-d4 makes it even easier for White Nf6-d5 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2+; Houdini annotates: 31.Rd1-d4 Nf6-d5 32.Rd4xg4 Nd5xe3+ 33.Kg2xg3 Ne3xc2 34.Rc5xc2 Ra8-b8 35.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 36.a4-a5 Rb6-f6 37.Rc2-b2 Rf6-f1 38.Nd4-e6 Rf1-g1+ 39.Rb2-g2 Rg1xg2+ 40.Kg3xg2 Rf8-f7 41.Kg2-g3 Rf7-e7 42.Ne6-c5 3.05/17 ] 31...Kg8-h8?? shortens the misery for Black [ 31...Rf8-f7 32.Qa2xf7+! Boing! Kg8xf7 33.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-e6 34.Ne5xg4 Nf6xg4+- ;Houdini annotates: 31...Rf8-f7 32.Qa2xf7+ Kg8xf7 33.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-e6 34.Ne5xg4 Nf6xg4 35.Rc5-c6+ Ke6-f5 36.Rd1-d5+ Ng4-e5 37.Rd5-a5 Ra8-e8 38.Kg2xg3 Kf5-e4 39.Rc6xa6 Diagram (Diagram 92) Ke4xe3 40.Ra5-b5 Ke3-d4 41.Ra6a7 g7-g6 42.a4-a5 Ne5-c6 43.Ra7-f7 1.94/15 ] 32.Rc5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 32.Rc5-c4 Qg4-f5 33.Rc4-f4 Qf5-h7 34.Rf4-h4 Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5

188 Rf8-f5 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e7 46.Rf4-c4 Re7-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+-+0{ 9+-+-+-zp-0 92 9R+-+-+-+0 9tR-+-sn-+-0 9P+-+k+-+0 9+-+-zP-mK-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 47.Rc4-c7 5.10/16 ] 32...Qg4-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 32...Qg4-f5 33.Rc4-f4 Qf5-h7 34.Rf4-h4 Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5 Rf8-f5 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 a6-a5 49.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 50.Ke4-e5 Kg8-f8 51.Rc4-c5 Re8-a8 52.Rc5-c7 g7-g6 53.Nf3-g5 Kf8-e8 54.Ng5-e4 6.30/20 ] 33.Rc4-f4 [Houdini annotates: 33.Rc4-f4 Qf5-h7 34.Rf4h4 Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5 Rf8-f5 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 Kg8-f7 49.Rc4-c7+ 5.32/17 ] 33...Qf5-h7 [ Houdini annotates: 33...Qf5-h7 34.Rf4-h4 Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5 Rf8-f5

189 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8e8 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 Rf8d8 49.e5-e6 Rd8-b8 50.Ke4-e5 Kg8f8 51.Rc4-c7 Rb8-b3 5.96/18 ] 34.Rf4h4 [Houdini annotates: 34.Rf4-h4 Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5 g7-g6 36.Rh4xh5 g6xh5 37.Qa2-b2+ Qh7g7 38.Rd5xh5+ Kh8-g8 39.Rh5-g5 Rf8f7 40.Rg5xg7+ Rf7xg7 41.Qb2f6 Ra8-a7 42.Nf3-g5 Rg7-b7 43.Ng5-e6 a6-a5 44.Kg2xg3 Rb7-b4 45.Qf6-f8+ Kg8-h7 46.Qf8-f5+ Kh7-g8 47.Qf5-g6+ Kg8-h8 48.Qg6h6+ Kh8-g8 49.Qh6-f6 Ra7-b7 50.Qf6g5+ Kg8-h7 51.Qg5xa5 Rb4-b3 52.Qa5-h5+ Kh7-g8 53.Qh5g6+ Kg8-h8 54.Qg6-h6+ 5.81/17 ] 34...Nf6-h5 [Houdini annotates: 34...Nf6-h5 35.Rd1-d5 g7g6 36.Rh4xh5 g6xh5 37.Qa2-b2+ Qh7g7 38.Rd5xh5+ Kh8-g8 39.Rh5-g5 Rf8f7 40.Rg5xg7+ Rf7xg7 41.Qb2f6 Ra8-a7 42.Nf3-g5 Rg7-b7 43.Ng5-e6 a6-a5 44.Kg2xg3 Rb7-b4 45.Qf6-f8+ Kg8-h7 46.Qf8-f5+ Kh7-g8 47.Qf5-g6+ Kg8-h8 48.e3-e4 Ra7b7

190 49.Qg6-h5+ Kh8-g8 50.Qh5xa5 Rb4-b3+ 51.Kg3-g4 Rb7-d7 52.Qa5-f5 6.06/18 ] 35.Rd1-d5 [ Houdini annotates: 35.Rd1-d5 Rf8-f5 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-g4 Rf8-b8 49.e5-e6 g7-g6 5.47/15 ] 35...Rf8-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 35...g7-g6 36.Rh4xh5 g6xh5 37.Qa2-b2+ Qh7-g7 38.Rd5xh5+ Kh8-g8 39.Rh5-g5 Ra8-a7 40.Rg5xg7+ Ra7xg7 41.Qb2-b3+ Kg8-h8 42.Qb3-e6 Rg7-a7 43.Qe6-h6+ Kh8-g8 44.Nf3-g5

Levon Aronian's Best Games a6-a5 45.Ng5-e6 Rf8-f2+ 46.Kg2xg3 Rf2-f7 47.e3-e4 Ra7-d7 48.e4-e5 Rf7-e7 49.Qh6-g6+ Kg8-h8 50.Qg6-h5+ Kh8-g8 51.Qh5-g5+ Kg8-h8 52.Qg5-g6 Re7-f7 53.Qg6-e4 Rd7-e7 5.88/16 ] 36.e3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 36.e3-e4 Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-b8 48.e5-e6 Rb8-f8+ 49.Kf5-g4 Rf8-e8 50.Rc4-c7 a6-a5 51.Nf3-d4 Kg8-f8 52.Kg4-f5 Kf8-g8 6.16/17 ] 36...Nh5-f4+ [Houdini annotates : 36...Nh5-f4+ 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 a6-a5 49.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 50.Ke4-e5 Re8-b8 51.Rc4-c7 g7-g6 52.Ke5-d6 Rb8-d8+ 53.Kd6-e7 Rd8-b8 54.Nf3-e5 Kg8-g7 55.Ke7-d6+ Kg7-h6 6.40/18 ] 37.Kg2xg3 [Houdini annotates: 37.Kg2xg3 Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 a6-a5 49.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 50.Ke4-e5 g7-g6 51.Rc4-c7 Re8-b8 52.Ke5-d6 Rb8-d8+ 53.Kd6-e7 Rd8-b8 54.Nf3-e5 Kg8-g7 55.Ke7-d6+ Kg7-h6 6.17/16 ] 37...Rf5-h5 [Houdini annotates: 37...Rf5-h5 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+

191 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5e4 a6-a5 49.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 50.Ke4-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5e4 a6-a5 49.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 50.Ke4-f5 g7-g6+ 51.Kf5-e5 Re8-a8 52.Rc4-c7 Ra8-b8 53.Ke5-d6 Rb8-d8+ 54.Kd6-e7 Rd8-b8 55.Nf3-e5 Kg8-g7 56.Ke7-d6+ Kg7-h6 6.40/17 ] 38.Rh4xf4 [ 38.Kg3xf4?! Rh5xh4+ 39.Nf3xh4 Qh7xh4+ 40.Kf4-e3 Qh4-h6+ 41.Ke3-d3 Qh6-h3+ 42.Kd3-d4 Ra8-c8= ;Houdini annotates: 38.Rh4xf4 Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 Rf8-b8 49.e5-e6 Kg8-f8 50.Nf3-e5 Rb8-e8 51.Ke4-f5 Kf8-g8 52.Ne5-g6 Re8-b8 53.Rc4-c7 6.13/15 ] 38...Rh5-h3+ [ Houdini annotates: 38...Rh5-h3+ 39.Kg3-g4 Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Ra8-c8 41.Qg2xh1 Qh7xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4e5 Rc8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4 Rf8-b8 49.e5-e6 Kg8-f8 50.Nf3-e5 Rb8-e8 51.Ke4-f5 Kf8-g8 52.Ne5-g6 Re8-b8 53.Rc4-c7 6.26/17 ] 39.Kg3-g4 [Houdini annotates: 39.Kg3-g4 Ra8-g8 40.Qa2-g2 Rh3-h6 41.Nf3-g5 Rh6-g6 42.e4-e5 Qh7-h6 43.e5-e6 Rg6xg5+ 44.Rd5xg5 Qh6xe6+ 45.Kg4-g3 Rg8-e8 46.Rf4-h4+ Kh8-g8 47.Qg2-d5 Re8-e7 48.Qd5xe6+ Re7xe6 49.Rh4-g4 Re6-e7 50.Rg5-g6 a6-a5 51.Rg6-a6 Re7-e3+ 52.Kg3-f4 5.93/16 ] 39...Ra8-e8 [ 39...Rh3-h1 cannot change what is in store for White 40.Qa2-g2+- ;Houdini

192 annotates: 39...Rh3-h1 40.Qa2-g2 Qh7-h6 41.Qg2xh1 Qh6xh1 42.Rd5-h5+ Qh1xh5+ 43.Kg4xh5 Kh8-g8 44.e4-e5 Ra8-e8 45.Kh5-g6 Re8-e6+ 46.Kg6-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rf4-c4 Re8-f8+ 48.Kf5-e4

193

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf8-b8 49.e5-e6 Kg8-f8 50.Rc4-c7 Rb8-b4+ 51.Ke4-d5 Rb4xa4 52.Rc7-f7+ Kf8-g8 5.45/14 ] 40.Rd5-f5 [Houdini annotates: 40.Rd5-f5 Re8-g8 41.Qa2xg8+ Qh7xg8 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h6 43.e4-e5 Rh6-b6 44.Nf3-g5 Rb6-b1 45.e5-e6 Rb1-e1 46.Rf8xg8+ Kh8xg8 47.Kg4-f5 Kg8-f8 48.Kf5-g6+ Kf8-e8 49.Kg6xg7 Re1-c1 50.Kg7-f6 Rc1-c6 51.Rf4-h4 Ke8-d8 52.Rh4-h7 Kd8-c8 53.Rh7-a7 Kc8-d8 54.Ra7-d7+ Kd8-c8 7.25/17 ] 40...Re8-g8 [Houdini annotates: 40...Re8-g8 41.Qa2xg8+ Qh7xg8 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h6 43.e4-e5 Rh6-b6 44.Nf3-g5 Rb6-b1 45.e5-e6 Rb1-e1 46.Rf8xg8+ Kh8xg8 47.Kg4-f5 Kg8-f8 48.Kf5-g6+ Kf8-e8 49.Kg6xg7 Re1-g1 50.Kg7-f6 Rg1-h1 51.Ng5-e4 Ke8-d8 52.Ne4-c5 Rh1-h6+ 53.Kf6-e5 a6-a5 54.Nc5-b7+ Kd8-e8 55.Nb7xa5 Rh6-h5+ 56.Rf4-f5 7.00/18 ] 41.Qa2xg8+! Deflection: h3 [ Houdini annotates: 41.Qa2xg8+ Qh7xg8 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h7 43.e4-e5 Rh7-h6 44.Nf3-g5 Rh6-h1 45.e5-e6 Rh1-e1 46.Rf8xg8+ Kh8xg8 47.Kg4-f5 Kg8-f8 48.Kf5-g6+ Kf8-e7 49.Rf4-f7+ Ke7-d6 50.Rf7-a7 Kd6-c6 51.Ra7xa6+ Kc6-b7 52.Ra6-d6 Re1-e5 53.Ng5-f3 Re5-e3 7.23/15 ] 41...Qh7xg8 [ 41...Qh7xg8 42.Kg4xh3 Overloading Deflection ; 41...Kh8xg8 42.Rf5-f8# Mate attack Decoy ;Houdini annotates: 41...Qh7xg8 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h7 43.e4-e5 Rh7-h6 44.Nf3-g5 Rh6-h1 45.e5-e6 Rh1-e1 46.Rf8xg8+ Kh8xg8 47.Kg4-f5 Kg8-f8 48.Kf5-g6+ Kf8-e8 49.Kg6xg7 Ke8-e7 50.Rf4-f7+ Ke7-e8 51.Rf7-a7 Re1-g1 52.Kg7-g6 Rg1-g2 53.Ra7xa6 Rg2-e2 54.Ra6-a8+ Ke8-e7 55.Ra8-a7+ Ke7-e8 56.Kg6-f6

Re2-f2+ 57.Kf6-e5 Rf2-e2+ 58.Ng5-e4 7.34/16 ] 42.Rf5-f8 Diagram [ 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.e4-e5+- ;Houdini annotates: 43.e4-e5+- ;Houdini annotates: 42.Rf5-f8 Rh3-h7 43.e4-e5 Rh7-h6 44.Nf3-g5 Rh6-h1 45.e5-e6 Rh1-e1 46.Rf8xg8+ Kh8xg8 47.Kg4-f5 Kg8-f8 48.Kf5-g6+ Kf8-e7 49.Rf4-f7+ Ke7-d6 50.Rf7-a7 Kd6-c6 51.Ra7xa6+ Kc6-b7 52.Ra6-d6 Kb7-c7 53.Rd6-d7+ Kc7-c6 54.Rd7xg7 Re1-a1 55.e6-e7 Kc6-d7 56.Ng5-e6 Ra1-g1+ 57.Kg6-f7 Rg1-f1+ 58.Kf7-g8 6.74/17 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tRqmk0{ 9+-+-+-zp-0 93 9p+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+-+PtRK+0 9+-+-+N+r0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0

17 Alexey Shirov Levon Aronian Tal Memorial (4)

C89

10.11.2006

C89: Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.Rf1-e1 b7-b5 7.Ba4-b3 0-0 8.c2-c3 d7-d5 9.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 10.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 11.Re1xe5 c7-c6 12.d2-d4 Be7-d6 13.Re5-e1 Qd8-h4 14.g2-g3 Qh4-h3 15.Re1-e4 g7-g5 16.Qd1-f1 Qh3-h5

194 17.Nb1-d2 Bc8-f5 18.f2-f3 Nd5-f6 19.a2-a4 Nf6xe4 20.Nd2xe4 Qh5-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games last book move 21.Ne4xd6 [ Houdini annotates: 21.Ne4xg5 Bd6-e7 22.Ng5-e4 Bf5-e6 23.Bb3xe6 Qg6xe6 24.Bc1-f4 f7-f5 25.Ne4-f2 Qe6-b3 26.Nf2-d3 b5xa4 27.Nd3-e5 Be7-d6 28.Bf4-h6 Rf8-f6 29.Bh6-e3 Qb3xb2 30.Qf1-c4+ Kg8-h8 31.Ra1xa4 0.51/15 ] 21...Qg6xd6 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Qg6xd6 22.Bc1xg5 Qd6-g6 23.Bg5-f4 Rf8-e8 24.Qf1-f2 Bf5-d3 25.Bf4-e5 c6-c5 26.Bb3-d1 f7-f6 27.Be5-d6 c5xd4 28.Bd1-b3+ Bd3-c4 29.Bb3xc4+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9+-+-+-+p0 94 9p+-vL-zpq+0 9+p+-+-+-0 9P+Lzp-+-+0 9+-zP-+PzP-0 9-zP-+-wQ-zP0 9tR-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy b5xc4 30.Qf2xd4 Qg6-f7 31.Ra1-d1 a6-a5 32.Qd4-g4+ Kg8-h8 0.50/17 ] 22.Bc1xg5 [Houdini annotates: 22.Bc1xg5 Qd6-g6 23.Bg5-f4 Rf8-e8 24.Qf1-f2 Bf5-d3 25.Bf4-e5 c6-c5 26.Bb3-d1 f7-f6 27.Be5-d6 c5xd4 28.c3xd4 Qg6-f5 29.Bd6-c5 Qf5-d5 30.Ra1-c1 b5xa4 31.Rc1-c3 Bd3-b5 32.Bd1-c2 0.31/18 ] 22...Qd6-g6 [ Houdini annotates: 22...Qd6-g6 23.Bg5-f4 Rf8-e8 24.Qf1-f2 Bf5-d3 25.Bf4-e5 c6-c5 26.Bb3-d1 f7-f6 27.Be5-d6 c5xd4 28.c3xd4 Qg6-f5

195 29.Bd6-c5 Qf5-d5 30.Ra1-c1 Re8-e6 31.Qf2-d2 Bd3-c4 0.30/18 ] 23.Qf1-c1 [Houdini annotates: 23.Bg5-f4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf8-e8 24.Qf1-f2 Bf5-d3 25.Bf4e5 c6-c5 26.Bb3-d1 f7-f6 27.Be5-d6 c5xd4 28.c3xd4 Qg6f5 29.Bd6-c5 Rf8-e8 24.Qf1-f2 Bf5-d3 25.Bf4e5 c6-c5 26.Bb3-d1 f7-f6 27.Be5-d6 c5xd4 28.c3xd4 Qg6f5 29.Bd6-c5 Qf5-d5 30.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8 31.Rc1-c3 Bd3-g6 32.Bd1-b3 0.36/17 ] 23...Bf5-d3 [Houdini annotates: 23...Rf8-e8 24.Bg5-f4 Re8-e2 25.a4xb5 Bf5-d3 26.b5xc6 Qg6xc6 27.Bb3-d1 Re2-e1+ 28.Kg1-f2 Re1-f1+ 29.Kf2-g2 Bd3-e2 30.Bd1xe2 Rf1xc1 31.Ra1xc1 Ra8-e8 32.Be2d3 a6-a5 33.Bd3-e4 Qc6-b5 34.Rc1-c2 Qb5-c4 35.Rc2-d2 f7-f5 36.Be4xf5 Re8-e2+ 37.Kg2-h3 a5-a4 38.Rd2xe2 Qc4xe2 0.29/17 ] 24.a4xb5 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Bg5-f4 Bd3-e2 25.Bb3-c2 Be2-d3 26.Bc2-d1 Rf8-e8 27.Qc1-d2 f7-f6 28.Bf4-d6 Kg8-g7 29.Kg1-g2 Qg6-f5 30.Bd6c5 h7-h5 31.h2-h4 Kg7-h7 32.a4xb5 a6xb5 33.Ra1xa8 Re8xa8 0.54/17 ] 24...a6xb5 [Houdini annotates: 24...a6xb5 25.Ra1xa8 Rf8xa8 26.Kg1-g2 Ra8-e8 27.Bg5-e3 Bd3-c4 28.Bb3-c2 Bc4-d3 29.Bc2-d1 Bd3-c4 30.Be3-f2 Bc4-e2 31.Bd1-c2 Be2-d3 32.Bc2xd3 Qg6xd3 33.Qc1-g5+ Qd3-g6 34.Qg5-d2 Qg6-e6 35.Qd2-f4 Qe6-d5 36.Bf2-e3 f7-f6 37.Qf4g4+ Kg8-f7 0.11/18 ] 25.Ra1xa8 last book move [Houdini annotates: 25.Ra1xa8 Rf8xa8 26.Kg1-g2 Ra8-e8 27.Bg5-e3 Bd3-c4 28.Bb3-c2 Bc4-d3 29.Bc2-d1 Bd3-c4 30.Be3-f2 Bc4-e2 31.Bd1-c2 Be2-d3 32.Bc2xd3 Qg6xd3 33.Qc1-g5+ Qd3-g6 34.Qg5-d2 Qg6-e6 35.Qd2-f4 Qe6-d5 36.Bf2-

196 e3 f7-f6 37.Qf4-g4+ Kg8-f7 -0.03/18 ] 25...Rf8xa8 [Houdini annotates: 25...Rf8xa8 26.Kg1-g2 Ra8-e8 27.Bg5-e3 Bd3-c4 28.Bb3-c2 Bc4-d3 29.Bc2-d1 Bd3-c4 30.Be3-f2 Bc4-e2 31.Bd1-c2 Be2-d3 32.Bc2xd3 Qg6xd3 33.Qc1-g5+ Qd3-g6 34.Qg5-d2 Qg6-e6 35.Qd2-f4 Qe6-d5 36.Bf2-e3

197

Levon Aronian's Best Games f7-f6 37.Qf4-g4+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0{ 9+-+-+-+p0 95 9-+p+-zp-+0 9+p+q+-+-0 9-+-zP-+Q+0 9+-zP-vLPzP-0 9-zP-+-+KzP0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg8-f7 0.09/16 ] 26.Kg1-f2 [ 26.Bg5-f4 Ra8-e8² ;Houdini annotates: 26.Kg1-g2 Ra8-e8 27.Bg5-e3 Bd3-c4 28.Bb3-c2 Bc4-d3 29.Bc2-d1 Bd3-c4 30.Be3-f2 Bc4-e2 31.Bd1-c2 Be2-d3 32.Bc2xd3 Qg6xd3 33.Qc1-g5+ Qd3-g6 34.Qg5-d2 Qg6-e6 35.Qd2-f4 Qe6-d5 36.Bf2-e3 f7-f6 37.Qf4-g4+ Kg8-f7 -0.02/17 ] 26...Bd3-c4 [Houdini annotates: 26...Ra8-e8 27.Bg5-e3 Bd3-c4 28.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 29.Be3-h6 Re8-e6 30.Bh6-f4 f7-f6 31.Qc1-d2 Kg8-f7 32.Bf4-h6 Qg6-b1 33.g3-g4 Qb1-d3 34.b2-b4 Qd3xd2+ 35.Bh6xd2 Re6-e8 36.Bd2-h6 Kf7-e6 37.h2-h4 Re8-a8 38.Kf2-e3 Ke6-d5 -0.14/18 ] 27.Bb3xc4 [Houdini annotates: 27.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 28.Bg5-h6 Ra8-e8 29.g3-g4 f7-f6 30.h2-h4 Kg8-f7 31.Kf2-g3 Qg6-d3 32.Qc1-f4 Qd3-e2 33.h4-h5 Qe2-e1+ 34.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 35.Kh3-g3 Re8-e7 36.Qf4-b8 Qh1-g1+ 37.Kg3-h3 Qg1-f1+ 38.Kh3-g3 Qf1-e1+

39.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 40.Kh3-g3 Qh1-g1+ -0.12/20 ] 27...b5xc4 [ Houdini annotates: 27...b5xc4 28.Bg5-h6 Ra8-e8 29.g3-g4 f7-f6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.h2-h4 Kg8-f7 31.Kf2-g3 Qg6-d3 30.h2-h4 Kg8-f7 31.Kf2-g3 Qg6-d3 32.Qc1-f4 Qd3-e2 33.h4-h5 Qe2-e1+ 34.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 35.Kh3-g3 Re8-e7 36.Qf4-b8 Qh1-g1+ 37.Kg3-h3 Qg1-f1+ 38.Kh3-g3 Qf1-e1+ 39.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 40.Kh3-g3 Qh1-g1+ -0.02/17 ] 28.g3-g4 [Houdini annotates: 28.Bg5-h6 Ra8-e8 29.g3-g4 f7-f6 30.h2-h4 Kg8-f7 31.Kf2-g3 Qg6-d3 32.Qc1-f4 Qd3-e2 33.h4-h5 Qe2-e1+ 34.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 35.Kh3-g3 Re8-e7 36.Qf4-b8 Qh1-g1+ 37.Kg3-h3 Qg1-f1+ 38.Kh3-g3 Qf1-e1+ 39.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 40.Kh3-g3 Qh1-g1+ -0.11/18 ] 28...Ra8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 28...h7-h5 29.h2-h3 Ra8-e8 30.Bg5-h6 f7-f6 31.Qc1-d2 h5-h4 32.Bh6-f4 Qg6-d3 33.Bf4-e3 Re8-e6 34.b2-b4 Kg8-f7 35.Be3-f4 Re6-e8 36.Bf4-h6 Kf7-g8 37.Bh6-e3 Re8-e7 38.Be3-h6 Kg8-f7 39.Bh6-f4 Re7-e8 40.Bf4-h6 -0.21/18 ] 29.Bg5-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Bg5-h6 f7-f6 30.h2-h4 Kg8-f7 31.Kf2-g3 Qg6-d3 32.Qc1-f4 Qd3-e2 33.h4-h5 Qe2-e1+ 34.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 35.Kh3-g3 Re8-e7 36.Qf4-b8 Qh1-g1+ 37.Kg3-h3 Qg1-f1+ 38.Kh3-g3 Qf1-e1+ 39.Kg3-h3 Qe1-h1+ 40.Kh3-g3 Qh1-g1+ -0.11/18 ] 29...Qg6-d3 [Houdini annotates: 29...Qg6-d3 30.Bf4-e3 f7-f6 31.h2-h3 Kg8-g7 32.h3-h4 Kg7-f7 33.h4-h5 Re8-e7 34.Be3-f4 Qd3-e2+ 35.Kf2-g3 Qe2-e1+ 36.Qc1xe1 Re7xe1 37.Bf4-d6 Re1-e2 38.Bd6-a3 Kf7-e6 39.Kg3-f4 Re2-c2 40.Kf4-e4 Rc2-h2 41.Ke4-f4 Rh2-f2 42.Kf4-e4 Rf2-c2 43.Ke4-e3 Rc2-g2 44.Ke3-f4 Rg2-d2 45.Kf4-e4 Rd2-c2 46.Ke4-e3 -0.23/21 ] 30.Kf2-g3 [Houdini annotates:

198 30.Bf4-e3 f7-f6 31.h2-h3 Kg8-g7 32.h3-h4 Kg7-f7 33.h4-h5 Re8-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.f3-f4 Re7-e8 35.Qc1-e1 Qd3-c2+ 36.Qe1-e2 Qc2xe2+ 37.Kf2xe2 Kf7-e6 38.Ke2-f3 Re8-b8 39.Be3-c1 Rb8-a8 40.f4-f5+ Ke6-d5 41.g4-g5 Ra8-a1 42.Bc1-e3 Ra1-f1+ 43.Kf3-g4 -0.28/20 ] 30...Qd3-e2 [Houdini annotates: 30...Qd3-e2 31.Bf4-e5 f7-f6 32.Be5xf6 Re8-e3 33.Qc1-h1 Qe2xb2 34.Bf6-g5 Re3-e6 35.Qh1-c1 Qb2xc1 36.Bg5xc1 Re6-e2 37.Bc1-a3 Re2-c2 38.Ba3-b4 Rc2-b2 39.Bb4-a5 Kg8-f7 40.h2-h3 Rb2-b5 41.Ba5-d8 Kf7-e6 42.Bd8-c7 Ke6-d7 43.Bc7-f4 Rb5-b3 44.Bf4-d2 Kd7-e6 45.Kg3-f2 Ke6-d5 -0.25/19 ] 31.Qc1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 31.Bf4-e5 f7-f6 32.Be5xf6 Re8-e3 33.Qc1-h1 Qe2xb2 34.Bf6-g5 Re3-e6 35.Qh1-c1 Qb2xc1 36.Bg5xc1 Re6-e2 37.Bc1-a3 Re2-c2 38.Ba3-b4 Rc2-b2 39.Bb4-a5 Kg8-f7 40.h2-h3 Rb2-b5 41.Ba5-d8 Kf7-e6 42.Bd8-c7 Ke6-d7 43.Bc7-f4 Rb5-b3 44.Bf4-d2 Kd7-e6 45.h3-h4 Ke6-d5 -0.25/18 ] 31...Qe2-e1+ [Houdini annotates: 31...Qe2-e1+ 32.Qb1xe1 Re8xe1 33.Bf4-d6 Kg8-g7 34.Bd6-a3 Kg7-g6 35.Kg3-f2 Re1-b1 36.h2-h3 h7-h5 37.Kf2-g3 Rb1-d1 38.Kg3-f4 Rd1-e1 39.h3-h4 Re1-e2 40.Kf4-g3 f7-f6 41.Kg3-f4 Re2-e1 42.Kf4-g3 Re1-b1 43.Kg3-f4 Rb1-f1 44.Kf4-g3 Rf1-h1 45.Ba3-e7 Rh1-b1 46.Be7-a3 Rb1-e1 47.Kg3-g2 h5xg4 48.f3xg4 f6-f5 49.Kg2-f2 Re1-h1 50.h4-h5+ Kg6-g5 51.Kf2-g2 Rh1-d1 52.g4xf5 Kg5xf5 53.Ba3-d6 Kf5-g4 -0.40/21 ] 32.Qb1xe1 [Houdini annotates: 32.Qb1xe1 Re8xe1 33.Bf4-d6 Kg8-g7 34.Bd6-a3 Kg7-g6 35.Kg3-f2 Re1-b1 36.h2-h3 h7-h5 37.Kf2-g3 Rb1-d1 38.Kg3-f4 Rd1-e1 39.h3-h4 Re1-e2 40.Kf4-g3 f7-f6 41.Kg3-f4 Re2-e1

199 42.Kf4-g3 Re1-h1 43.Ba3-e7 Rh1-b1 44.Be7-a3 h5xg4 45.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 46.Kg4-h3 Kg6-h5 47.Ba3-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rg1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1xh4 -0.49/19 ] Rg1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1xh4 -0.49/19 ] 32...Re8xe1 [Houdini annotates: 32...Re8xe1 33.Bf4-d6 Kg8-g7 34.Bd6-a3 Kg7-g6 35.Kg3-f2 Re1-b1 36.h2-h3 h7-h5 37.Kf2-g3 Rb1-d1 38.Kg3-f4 Rd1-e1 39.h3-h4 Re1-e2 40.Kf4-g3 f7-f6 41.Kg3-f4 Re2-e1 42.Kf4-g3 Re1-h1 43.Ba3-e7 Rh1-b1 44.Be7-a3 h5xg4 45.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 46.Kg4-h3 Kg6-h5 47.Ba3-c5 Rg1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1xh4 -0.38/20 ] 33.Bf4-d6 [Houdini annotates: 33.Bf4-d6 Kg8-g7 34.Bd6-a3 Kg7-g6 35.Kg3-f2 Re1-b1 36.h2-h3 h7-h5 37.Kf2-g3 Rb1-d1 38.Kg3-f4 Rd1-e1 39.h3-h4 Re1-e2 40.Kf4-g3 f7-f6 41.Kg3-f4 Re2-e1 42.Kf4-g3 Re1-h1 43.Ba3-e7 Rh1-b1 44.Be7-a3 h5xg4 45.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 46.Kg4-h3 Kg6-h5 47.Ba3-c5 Rg1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1xh4 -0.40/21 ] 33...Re1-g1+ [Houdini annotates: 33...Re1-g1+ 34.Kg3-f2 Rg1-b1 35.Bd6-a3 Kg8-g7 36.Kf2-g2 Kg7-g6 37.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 38.h2-h4 h5xg4 39.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 40.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 41.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 42.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2 43.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 44.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 45.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 46.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 47.Kg3-h3 Rb1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1-d1 49.Ba3-c5 Rd1-g1+ 50.Kg3-h3 Rg1-h1+ 51.Kh3-g3 Rh1xh4 -0.35/24 ] 34.Kg3-f2 White threatens to win material: Kf2xg1 [Houdini annotates: 34.Kg3-h3 Kg8-g7 35.Bd6-c5 Rg1-f1 36.Kh3-g3 Rf1-b1 37.Bc5-a3 Kg7-g6 38.Kg3-f2 h7-h5 39.Kf2-g3 Rb1-g1+ 40.Kg3-f2 Rg1-h1 41.Kf2-g3 Rh1-b1 42.h2-h4 h5xg4 43.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 44.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 45.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 46.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2 47.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 48.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 49.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 50.Bb4-a3

200 Kg6-h5 Diagram 51.Kg3-h3 Rb1-h1+ 52.Kh3-g3

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 96 9-+p+-zp-+0 9+-+-+-+k0 9-+pzP-+-zP0 9vL-zP-+PmK-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+r+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Rh1-g1+ 53.Kg3-h2 Rg1-d1 54.Kh2-g3 Rd1-e1 55.Kg3-h3 Re1-h1+ 56.Kh3-g3 -0.40/21 ] 34...Rg1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 34...Rg1-b1 35.Bd6-a3 Kg8-g7 36.Kf2-g2 Kg7-g6 37.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 38.h2-h4 h5xg4 39.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 40.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 41.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 42.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2 43.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 44.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 45.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 46.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 47.Kg3-h3 Rb1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1-g1+ 49.Kg3-h2 Rg1-d1 50.Kh2-g3 Rd1-e1 51.Kg3-h3 Re1-h1+ 52.Kh3-g3 -0.35/24 ] 35.Bd6-a3 [Houdini annotates : 35.Bd6-a3 Kg8-g7 36.Kf2-g2 Kg7-g6 37.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 38.h2-h4 h5xg4 39.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 40.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 41.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 42.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2 43.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 44.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 45.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 46.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 47.Kg3-h3 Rb1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1-g1+ 49.Kg3-h2 Rg1-d1 50.Kh2-g3 Rd1-e1 51.Kg3-h3 Re1-h1+ 52.Kh3-g3 -0.40/23 ] 35...Kg8-g7 [Houdini annotates:

201 35...Kg8-g7 36.Kf2-g2 Kg7-g6 37.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 38.h2-h4 h5xg4 39.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 40.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 41.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 42.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 44.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 43.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 44.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 45.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 46.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 47.Kg3-h3 Rb1-h1+ 48.Kh3-g3 Rh1-g1+ 49.Kg3-h2 Rg1-d1 50.Kh2-g3 Rd1-e1 51.Kg3-h3 Re1-h1+ 52.Kh3-g3 -0.35/23 ] 36.Kf2-g3 [Houdini annotates: 36.Kf2-g2 Kg7-g6 37.Kg2-g3 h7-h5 38.h2-h3 Rb1-g1+ 39.Kg3-f2 Rg1-d1 40.Kf2-g3 Rd1-b1 41.h3-h4 h5xg4 42.Kg3xg4 Rb1-g1+ 43.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 44.Ba3-c5 Rg1-h1 45.Kf4-g4 Rh1-h2 46.Bc5-a3 Rh2-g2+ 47.Kg4-h3 Rg2-e2 48.Kh3-g4 Re2-h2 49.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 50.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 51.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 52.Kg3-h3 Rb1-g1 53.Ba3-c5 Rg1-h1+ 54.Kh3-g3 Rh1-g1+ 55.Kg3-h3 Rg1-h1+ -0.40/21 ] 36...Kg7-g6 [Houdini annotates: 36...Kg7-g6 37.Kg3-f2 h7-h5 38.Kf2-g3 Rb1-d1 39.h2-h4 h5xg4 40.Kg3xg4 Rd1-g1+ 41.Kg4-f4 f7-f6 42.Ba3-c5 Rg1-g2 43.Bc5-a3 Rg2-e2 44.Kf4-g4 Re2-h2 45.Kg4-g3 Rh2-h1 46.Ba3-b4 Rh1-b1 47.Bb4-a3 Kg6-h5 48.Kg3-h3 Rb1-g1 49.Ba3-c5 Rg1-h1+ 50.Kh3-g3 Rh1-g1+ 51.Kg3-h3 Rg1-h1+ -0.35/22 ] 37.h2-h3 [Houdini annotates: 37.Kg3-f4 Rb1-e1 38.Kf4-g3 h7-h5 39.Kg3-f2 Re1-h1 40.Kf2-g3 h5xg4 41.f3xg4 f7-f5 42.h2-h3 f5xg4 43.h3xg4 Rh1-g1+ 44.Kg3-f4 Kg6-f6 45.Kf4-f3 Kf6-e6 46.Kf3-f4 Rg1-f1+ 47.Kf4-g3 Rf1-b1 48.Kg3-f4 Rb1-g1 49.Ba3-c5 Rg1-c1 50.g4-g5 Rc1-b1 51.Bc5-b4 Rb1xb2 52.Bb4-a5 Ke6-f7 -0.38/20 ] 37...h7-h5 [Houdini annotates : 37...h7-h5 38.Kg3-h4 Rb1-g1 39.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 40.Ba3-d6 Rg1-g2 41.Bd6-e5+ Kg7-h6 42.f3-f4 Rg2xb2 43.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b1 44.Be5-f6 Rb1-b3

202 45.Bf6-e5 Rb3-b2 46.Be5-d6 Rb2-g2+ 47.Kg4-h4 Rg2-c2 48.Bd6-e5 Kh6-h7 49.Be5-f6 Rc2-b2 50.Kh4-g5 Rb2-g2+

203

Levon Aronian's Best Games 51.Kg5-h4 Rg2-c2 52.Kh4-g4 Rc2-g2+ 53.Kg4-h4 Rg2-c2 -0.36/24 ] 38.Kg3-h4 [Houdini annotates: 38.Kg3-h4 Rb1-g1 39.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 40.Ba3-d6 Rg1-g2 41.Bd6-e5+ Kg7-h6 42.f3-f4 Rg2xb2 43.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b1 44.Be5-f6 Rb1-b3 45.Bf6-e5 Rb3-b2 46.Be5-d6 Rb2-g2+ 47.Kg4-h4 Rg2-c2 48.Bd6-e5 Kh6-h7 49.Be5-f6 Rc2-b2 50.Kh4-g5 Rb2-h2 51.Kg5-h4 Rh2-g2 52.Bf6-e5 Rg2-c2 53.Be5-f6 -0.40/21 ] 38...Rb1-g1 [ Houdini annotates: 38...h5xg4 39.h3xg4 Rb1-g1 40.Kh4-h3 f7-f5 41.Kh3-h2 Rg1-e1 42.Kh2-g3 f5xg4 43.f3xg4 Re1-e2 44.Kg3-f4 Kg6-f6 45.Kf4-f3 Re2-d2 46.Kf3-f4 Rd2-f2+ 47.Kf4-g3 Rf2-f1 48.Ba3-d6 Kf6-e6 49.Bd6-a3 Rf1-g1+ 50.Kg3-f3 Rg1-b1 51.Kf3-g2 Rb1-d1 52.Kg2-f3 Rd1-h1 53.Kf3-f4 Ke6-f6 54.Kf4-g3 Rh1-f1 55.Ba3-d6 -0.34/21 ] 39.Ba3-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 39.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 40.Ba3-d6 Rg1-g2 41.Bd6-e5+ Kg7-h6 42.f3-f4 Rg2xb2 43.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b1 44.Be5-f6 Rb1-b3 45.Bf6-e5 Rb3-b2 46.Be5-d6 Rb2-g2+ 47.Kg4-h4 Rg2-c2 48.Bd6-e5 Kh6-h7 49.Be5-f6 Rc2-b2 50.Kh4-g5 Rb2-h2 51.Kg5-h4 Rh2-g2 52.Bf6-e5 Rg2-c2 53.Be5-f6 -0.40/23 ] 39...Rg1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 39...Rg1-g2 40.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 41.f3-f4 Rg2xb2 42.Kh4-g5 Rb2-g2+ 43.Kg5-h4 f7-f6 44.Bc5-e7 Rg2-c2 45.Be7-b4 Rc2-b2 46.Bb4-a5 Rb2-b8 47.Ba5-c7 Rb8-b3 48.Bc7-a5 Kg7-h6 49.Kh4-g4 f6-f5+ 50.Kg4-h4 Rb3-b1 51.Ba5-d8 Rb1-c1 52.Bd8-f6 Rc1-c2 53.Bf6-e5 Rc2-f2 54.Be5-d6 Rf2-f3 55.Bd6-f8+ Kh6-h7 56.Bf8-b4 Rf3xf4+ 57.Kh4-g5 Rf4-f3 -0.42/22 ] 40.Bc5-a3 [Houdini

annotates : 40.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 41.f3-f4 Rg2xb2 42.Kh4-g5 Rb2-g2+ 43.Kg5-h4 f7-f6 44.Bc5-e7 Rg2-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 45.Be7-b4 Rc2-b2 46.Bb4-a5 Rb2-b8 45.Be7-b4 Rc2-b2 46.Bb4-a5 Rb2-b8 47.Ba5-c7 Rb8-b3 48.Bc7-a5 Kg7-h6 49.Kh4-g4 f6-f5+ 50.Kg4-h4 Rb3-b1 51.Ba5-d8 Rb1-c1 52.Bd8-f6 Rc1-c2 53.Bf6-e5 Rc2-f2 54.Be5-d6 Rf2-f3 55.Bd6-f8+ Kh6-h7 56.Bf8-b4 Rf3xf4+ 57.Kh4-g5 Rf4-f3 -0.48/21 ] 40...f7-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 40...f7-f6 41.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 42.f3-f4 Kg7-f7 43.Ba3-b4 Rg2xb2 44.Bb4-a5 Kf7-g7 45.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b3 46.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 47.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 48.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 49.h5-h6+ Kg7-f7 50.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 51.Kf4-g4 Rh5xh6 52.Bd8-c7 Rh6-h8 53.Bc7-d6 Rh8-g8+ 54.Kg4-f3 Rg8-g1 55.Bd6-b4 Kf7-g7 56.Bb4-c5 Rg1-c1 57.Bc5-b4 Rc1-h1 -0.48/24 ] 41.g4xh5+ [Houdini annotates: 41.g4xh5+ Kg6-g7 42.f3-f4 Kg7-f7 43.Ba3-b4 Rg2xb2 44.Bb4-a5 Kf7-g7 45.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b3 46.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 47.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 48.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 49.h5-h6+ Kg7-f7 50.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 51.Kf4-g4 Rh5xh6 52.Bd8-c7 Rh6-h8 53.Bc7-d6 Rh8-g8+ 54.Kg4-f3 Rg8-g1 55.Bd6-b4 Kf7-g7 56.Bb4-c5 Rg1-c1 57.Bc5-b4 Rc1-f1+ 58.Kf3-g4 Rf1-h1 59.h4-h5 Rh1-f1 60.Bb4-e7 Rf1-g1+ 61.Kg4-f4 Rg1-c1 -0.54/24 ] 41...Kg6-f5 [Houdini annotates: 41...Kg6-g7 42.f3-f4 Kg7-f7 43.Ba3-b4 Rg2xb2 44.Bb4-a5 Kf7-g7 45.Kh4-g4 Rb2-b3 46.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 47.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 48.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 49.h5h6+ Kg7-f7 50.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 51.Kf4g4 Rh5xh6 52.Bd8-c7 Rh6-h8 53.Bc7-d6 Rh8-g8+ 54.Kg4-f3 Rg8-g1 55.Bd6-b4 Kf7-g7 56.Bb4-c5 Rg1-c1 57.Bc5-b4 Rc1-h1 -0.48/22 ] 42.f3-f4 [Houdini 2. 0c : 42.f3-f4 Rg2-g8 43.Ba3-d6 Kf5-e6 44.Bd6-c7 Ke6-f7 45.Bc7-d6 Rg8-g2 46.Bd6-a3 Kf7-g7

204 47.Ba3-e7 Rg2xb2 48.Kh4-g4 Kg7-f7 49.Be7-d8 Rb2-b3 50.Bd8-a5 Diagram

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+k+-0 97 9-+p+-zp-+0 9vL-+-+-+P0 9-+pzP-zPK+0 9+rzP-+-+P0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kf7-g7 51.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 52.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 53.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 54.h5-h6+ Kg7-f7 55.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 56.Kf4-g4 Rh5xh6 57.h4-h5 Rh6-h8 58.Bd8-c7 Rh8-g8+ 59.Kg4-f4 Kf7-g7 60.Bc7-d6 Rg8-e8 61.Kf4-g4 Re8-e3 62.Bd6-b4 Kg7-h6 63.Bb4-f8+ Kh6-h7 64.Bf8-b4 -0.41/23 ] 42...Rg2-g8 [ 42...Kf5xf4 43.h5-h6 Passed pawn ; Houdini annotates: 42...Rg2-g8 43.Ba3-d6 Kf5-e6 44.Bd6-c5 Ke6-f7 45.Bc5-d6 Rg8-g2 46.Bd6-a3 Kf7-g7 47.Ba3-e7 Rg2xb2 48.Kh4-g4 Kg7-f7 49.Be7-d8 Rb2-c2 50.Bd8-a5 Rc2-a2 51.Ba5-b4 Ra2-g2+ 52.Kg4-h4 Kf7-g7 53.Bb4-e7 Rg2-c2 54.Be7-b4 Rc2-b2 55.Bb4-a5 Kg7-f7 56.Kh4-g4 Rb2-a2 57.Ba5-b4 -0.36/24 ] 43.Ba3-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 43.Ba3-e7 Kf5-e6 44.Be7-c5 Ke6-f7 45.Bc5-d6 Rg8-g2 46.Bd6-a3 Kf7-g7 47.Ba3-e7 Rg2xb2 48.Kh4-g4 Kg7-f7 49.Be7-d8 Rb2-b3 50.Bd8-a5 Kf7-g7 51.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 52.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 53.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 54.h5-h6+ Kg7-f7 55.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 56.Kf4-g4 Rh5xh6 57.h4-h5 Rh6-h8 58.Bd8-c7 Rh8-g8+ 59.Kg4-f4

205 Kf7-g7 60.Kf4-f3 Rg8-h8 -0.39/24 ] 43...Kf5-e6 Black threatens to win material: Ke6xd6 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 43...Kf5-e6 44.Bd6-c7 Ke6-f7 x64: 43...Kf5-e6 44.Bd6-c7 Ke6-f7 45.Bc7-d6 Rg8-g2 46.Bd6-a3 Kf7-g7 47.Ba3-e7 Rg2xb2 48.Kh4-g4 Kg7-f7 49.Be7-d8 Rb2-b3 50.Bd8-a5 Kf7-g7 51.f4-f5 Rb3-b2 52.Ba5-d8 Rb2-g2+ 53.Kg4-f4 Rg2-g5 54.h5-h6+ Kg7-f7 55.h3-h4 Rg5-h5 56.Kf4-g4 Rh5xh6 57.h4-h5 Rh6-h8 58.Bd8-c7 Rh8-g8+ 59.Kg4-f4 Kf7-g7 60.Bc7-d6 Rg8-e8 61.Kf4-g4 Re8-e3 62.Bd6-b4 Kg7-h6 63.Bb4-f8+ Kh6-h7 64.Bf8-b4 -0.35/23 ] 44.h5-h6?? letting the wind out of his own sails [ ¹44.Bd6-c7= was a good chance to save the game ;Houdini annotates: 44.Bd6-c7 Ke6-f7 45.Bc7-b6 Rg8-g2 46.Bb6-a5 Rg2xb2 47.Kh4-g4 Kf7-g7 48.Ba5-d8 Rb2-b3 49.Bd8-a5 Kg7-h7 50.f4-f5 Kh7-g7 51.Kg4-f4 Rb3-b2 52.Ba5-b4 Rb2-g2 53.h3-h4 Kg7-h6 54.Kf4-f3 Rg2-c2 55.Kf3-g4 Rc2-g2+ 56.Kg4-f3 Rg2-c2 -0.29/20 ] 44...Ke6xd6-+ [Houdini annotates: 44...Ke6xd6 45.Kh4-h5 f6-f5 46.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 47.Kh5-g6 Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Diagram (Diagram 98) Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5-d4 Rh6-h2 64.b2-b4 c4xb3 -3.46/25 ] 45.Kh4-h5 [Houdini annotates : 45.Kh4-h5 f6-f5 46.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 47.Kh5-g6 Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6

206 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-tr0{ 9+-+k+-+P0 98 9-+-+-+K+0 9+-+p+p+-0 9-+p+-zP-zP0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.48/26 ] 45...f6-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 45...f6-f5 46.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 47.Kh5-g6 Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+

207 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.42/24 ] 46.h6-h7 [Houdini annotates: 46.h6-h7 Rg8-h8 47.Kh5-g6 Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.48/24 ] 46...Rg8-h8 [ 46...Rg8-d8 seems even better 47.Kh5-g5 Kd6-e7 48.Kg5-g6-+ ; Houdini annotates: 46...Rg8-h8 47.Kh5-g6 Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6

208 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.42/27 ] 47.Kh5-g6 [Houdini annotates: 47.Kh5-h6 Kd6-e7 48.Kh6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.48/26 ] 47...Kd6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 47...Kd6-e7 48.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 59.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 60.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 62.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 63.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 64.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4

209 65.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 66.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 67.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 68.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 69.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 70.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 71.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 72.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 75.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 76.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 77.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 78.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 79.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 80.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 81.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 82.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 83.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 84.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 85.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 86.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 87.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 88.Kd2-e2 -3.42/24 ] 48.Kg6-g7 [Houdini annotates: 48.d4-d5 c6xd5 49.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e6 50.Kg7-g6 Ke6-d7 51.Kg6-h6 Kd7-e8 52.Kh6-g7 Ke8-e7 53.h3-h4 Ke7-e8 54.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 55.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 56.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 57.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 58.Kg6-g7 Kd6-e6 59.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 60.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 61.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 62.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 63.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 64.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 65.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 66.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 67.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 68.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 69.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 70.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 71.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 72.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 73.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 74.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 75.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 76.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 77.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 78.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 79.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 80.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 81.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 82.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 83.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 84.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 85.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 86.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 87.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 88.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 89.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 90.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 91.Kd2-e2 -3.48/25 ] 48...Ke7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 48...Ke7-e8 49.h3-h4 Ke8-e7 50.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 51.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 52.d4-d5 c6xd5 53.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d8 59.Kg6-h6 Kd8-d7 60.Kh6-g7 Kd7-e8 61.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 62.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 63.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 64.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 65.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 66.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 67.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4

210 68.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 69.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 70.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 71.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 72.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 73.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 74.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 75.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 76.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 77.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 78.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 79.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 80.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 81.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 82.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 83.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 84.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 85.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 86.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 87.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 88.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 89.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 90.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 91.Kd2-e2 -3.42/26 ] 49.Kg7-g6 [ 49.Kg7xh8 is impossible because of the following mating combination Ke8-f8 50.h3-h4 Kf8-f7 51.h4-h5 Kf7-f8 52.b2-b4 c4xb3 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.c3-c4 b3-b2 55.c4xd5 b2-b1Q 56.d5-d6 Qb1-b2# ; Houdini annotates: 49.d4-d5 c6xd5 50.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 51.h3-h4 Kf8-e7 52.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 53.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 54.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 55.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 56.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 57.Kg6-g7 Kd6-e6 58.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 59.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 60.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 61.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 62.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 63.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 64.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 65.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 66.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 67.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 68.Kd6-d5 Rf3-g3 69.Kd5-d6 Rg3-d3+ 70.Kd6-e5 Kf7-e7 71.Ke5-e4 Rd3-g3 72.Ke4-e5 Rg3-h3 73.Ke5-d5 Ke7-d7 74.Kd5-c5 Kd7-e6 75.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 76.Kb5-b6 Rh3-g3 77.Kb6-b5 Rg3-f3 78.Kb5-c4 Rf3-f4+ 79.Kc4-b5 Rf4-f5+ 80.Kb5-c4 Rf5-f3 81.b2-b4 Rf3-f5 82.Kc4-d3 Rf5-f4 83.c3-c4 Rf4-h4 84.Kd3-c3 Rh4-h3+ 85.Kc3-b2 Rh3-g3 86.Kb2-c2 Kd6-c6 87.Kc2-b2 Rg3-f3 88.Kb2-c2 Kc6-c7 89.Kc2-d2 Kc7-b6 90.Kd2-e2 -3.48/24 ] 49...Ke8-f8 [Houdini annotates: 49...Ke8-f8 50.h3-h4 Kf8-e7 51.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e6 52.d4-d5+ c6xd5 53.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8

211 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d8 59.Kg6-h6 Kd8-d7 60.Kh6-g7 Kd7-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 61.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 62.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 61.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 62.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 63.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 64.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 65.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 66.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 67.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 68.c3-c4 Kf7-e7 69.Kc5-d5 Rf4-f5+ 70.Kd5-c6 Rf5-f2 71.b2-b4 Rf2-f4 72.Kc6-c5 Ke7-e6 73.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 74.c4-c5+ Kd6-c7 75.Kb5-a4 Kc7-c6 76.Ka4-a5 Rf4-e4 77.Ka5-a4 Re4-e3 -3.42/24 ] 50.h3-h4 [Houdini annotates: 50.d4-d5 c6xd5 51.h3-h4 Kf8-e7 52.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 53.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 54.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 55.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 56.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 57.Kg6-g7 Kd6-e6 58.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 59.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 60.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 61.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 62.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 63.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 64.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 65.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 66.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 67.c3-c4 Kf7-e7 68.Kc5-d5 Rf4-f5+ 69.Kd5-c6 Rf5-f2 70.b2-b4 Rf2-f4 71.Kc6-c5 Ke7-e6 72.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 73.c4-c5+ Kd6-c7 74.Kb5-a4 Kc7-c6 75.Ka4-a5 Rf4-e4 76.Ka5-a4 Re4-e3 -3.48/23 ] 50...Kf8-e7 [Houdini annotates:50...Kf8-e8 51.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 52.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 53.Kg6-h6 Kd6-d7 54.d4-d5 c6xd5 55.Kh6-g6 Kd7-e7 56.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 57.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 58.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 59.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 60.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d8 61.Kg6-h6 Kd8-d7 62.Kh6-g7 Kd7-e8 63.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 64.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 65.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 66.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 67.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 68.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 69.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 70.c3-c4 Kf7-e7 71.Kc5-d5 Rf4-f5+ 72.Kd5-c6 Rf5-f2 73.b2-b4 Rf2-f4 74.Kc6-c5 Ke7-e6 75.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 76.c4-c5+ Kd6-c7 77.Kb5-a4 Kc7-c6 78.Ka4-a5 Rf4-e4 79.Ka5-a4 Re4-e3 -3.42/25 ] 51.Kg6-g7 [ Houdini annotates: 51.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e6 52.d4-d5+ c6xd5 53.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 54.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6

212 Ke8-f8 56.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.Kg7-g6 Ke7-d6 59.Kg6-g7

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kd6-e6 60.Kg7-g6 Ke6-e7 61.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 62.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 63.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 64.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 65.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 66.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 67.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 68.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 69.c3-c4 Kf7-e7 70.Kc5-d5 Rf4-f5+ 71.Kd5-c6 Rf5-f2 72.b2-b4 Rf2-f4 73.Kc6-c5 Ke7-e6 74.Kc5-b5 Ke6-d6 75.c4-c5+ Kd6-c7 76.Kb5-a4 Kc7-c6 77.Ka4-a5 Rf4-e4 78.Ka5-a4 Re4-e3 -3.48/26 ] 51...Ke7-e8 [Houdini annotates : 51...Ke7-e8 52.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 55.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 56.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.42/26 ] 52.Kg7-g6 [ 52.Kg7xh8 is refuted by the following interesting mate Ke8-f7 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.h4-h5 Kf7-f8 55.h5-h6 Kf8-f7 56.b2-b3 c4xb3 57.c3-c4 b3-b2 58.c4xd5 b2-b1R 59.d5-d6 Rb1-b8# ;Houdini annotates: 52.h4-h5 Ke8-e7 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 55.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 56.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 57.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 58.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 59.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 60.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 61.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 62.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 63.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 64.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 65.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 66.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 67.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 68.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 69.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 70.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.48/24 ] 52...Ke8-f8 [Houdini annotates: 52...Ke8-f8 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.h4-h5

213 Kf8-e8 55.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 56.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.42/24 ] 53.h4-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 53.d4-d5 c6xd5 54.h4-h5 Kf8-e8 55.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 56.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.48/23 ] 53...Kf8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 53...Kf8-e7 54.d4-d5 c6xd5 55.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 56.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.42/24 ] 54.Kg6-g7 [Houdini annotates: 54.d4-d5 c6xd5 55.Kg6-g7 Ke7-e8 56.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.48/23 ] 54...Ke7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 54...Ke7-e8 55.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 56.d4-d5 c6xd5 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5

214 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.42/22 ] 55.Kg7-g6 [ 55.Kg7xh8 leads to a non-trivial mate Ke8-f7 56.d4-d5 c6xd5 57.b2-b4 c4xb3 58.c3-c4 d5-d4 59.c4-c5 b3-b2 60.c5-c6 b2-b1Q 61.c6-c7 d4-d3 62.c7-c8Q Qb1-b2+ 63.Qc8-c3 Qb2xc3# ;Houdini annotates: 55.d4-d5 c6xd5 56.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.48/23 ] 55...Ke8-f8 [Houdini annotates : 55...Ke8-f8 56.d4-d5 c6xd5 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.42/19 ] 56.h5-h6 [Houdini annotates: 56.d4-d5 c6xd5 57.h5-h6 Kf8-e8 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4-c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6-d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4-d5 Ke7-d7 67.Kd5-c5 Rg3-g5+ 68.Kc5-c4 Kd7-c6 69.Kc4-d4 Rg5-g3 70.b2-b3 Rg3-g4+ 71.Kd4-e5

215 Kc6-c5 72.Ke5-f5 Rg4-g3 -3.48/20 ] 56...Kf8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 56...Kf8-e8 57.Kg6-g7 Ke8-e7 58.d4-d5 c6xd5 59.Kg7-g6 Ke7-f8 60.Kg6xf5 Rh8xh7 61.Kf5-e5 Rh7xh6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 62.Ke5xd5 Rh6-h2 63.Kd5xc4 Rh2xb2 62.Ke5xd5 Rh6-h2 63.Kd5xc4 Rh2xb2 64.Kc4-d3 Kf8-e7 65.c3-c4 Ke7e6 66.Kd3-e4 Rb2-c2 67.Ke4-d3 Rc2c1 68.Kd3-d4 Ke6-f5 69.c4-c5 Kf5xf4 70.c5-c6 Rc1xc6 71.Kd4-d5 -3.32/18 ] 57.Kg6-f6 [ 57.d4-d5 is one last hope c6xd5 58.Kg6xf5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 57.d4-d5 c6xd5 58.Kg6xf5 Ke8-f7 59.Kf5-e5 Rh8xh7 60.Ke5xd5 Rh7xh6 61.Kd5xc4 Rh6-h4 62.Kc4c5 Rh4xf4 63.Kc5-d6 Rf4-f3 64.Kd6d5 Kf7-e7 65.Kd5-e4 Rf3-g3 66.Ke4e5 Ke7-d7 67.Ke5-d5 Rg3g5+ 68.Kd5-e4 Kd7-c6 69.b2-b3 Rg5g4+ 70.Ke4-e3 Kc6-c5 71.Ke3-f3 -3.46/19 ] 57...Rh8xh7 [Houdini annotates: 57...Rh8xh7 58.d4-d5 c6xd5 59.Kf6-g6 Rh7-f7 60.h6-h7 Rf7f8 61.Kg6-g7 Rf8-h8 62.Kg7-g6 Ke8f8 63.Kg6xf5 Rh8xh7 64.Kf5-e6 Rh7h4 65.Ke6xd5 Rh4xf4 66.Kd5-e6 Rf4g4 67.Ke6-d5 Kf8-e7 68.Kd5-e5 Rg4g2 69.Ke5-d5 Rg2xb2 70.Kd5xc4 Ke7-

216 d6 71.Kc4-d4 Rb2-c2 72.Kd4-c4 Kd6-e5 73.Kc4-d3 Rc2-h2 74.Kd3-c4 Rh2-d2 75.Kc4-c5 Rd2-b2 76.Kc5-c4 Ke5-e6 77.Kc4-c5 Ke6-e5 78.Kc5-c4 -5.36/21 ] 58.Kf6-g6 [Houdini annotates: 58.d4-d5 Diagram (Diagram 99) c6xd5 59.Kf6-g6 Rh7-f7 60.h6-h7 Rf7-f8 61.Kg6-g7 Rf8-h8 62.Kg7-g6 Ke8-f8 63.Kg6xf5 Rh8xh7 64.Kf5-e6 Rh7-h4 65.Ke6xd5 Rh4xf4 66.Kd5-e6 Rf4-g4 67.Ke6-d5 Kf8-e7 68.Kd5-e5 Rg4-g2 69.Ke5-d5 Rg2xb2 70.Kd5xc4 Ke7-d6 71.Kc4-d4 Rb2-c2 72.Kd4-d3 Rc2-h2 73.Kd3-e4 Rh2-h4+ 74.Ke4-e3 Kd6-d5 75.Ke3-f3 Rh4-h3+ 76.Kf3-g4 Rh3xc3 77.Kg4-f4 Rc3-b3 78.Kf4-g5 Kd5-e5 79.Kg5-g6 -5.42/22 ] 58...Rh7-f7 [Houdini annotates: 58...Rh7-f7 59.Kg6-g5 Ke8-f8

217

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+k+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+r0 99 9-+p+-mK-zP0 9+-+P+p+-0 9-+p+-zP-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 60.Kg5-h5 Kf8-g8 61.Kh5-g6 Rf7-h7 62.Kg6xf5 Rh7xh6 63.Kf5-e5 Kg8-f7 64.d4-d5 Rh6-h5+ 65.f4-f5 c6xd5 66.Ke5xd5 Rh5-h4 67.Kd5-e5 Kf7-e7 68.f5-f6+ Ke7-f7 69.Ke5-f5 Rh4-h5+ 70.Kf5-f4 Kf7xf6 71.Kf4-e4 Rh5-b5 72.Ke4-d4 Rb5xb2 73.Kd4-d5 Rb2-c2 74.Kd5xc4 Kf6-e5 75.Kc4-d3 Rc2-h2 76.Kd3-c4 Rh2-f2 77.Kc4-d3 Rf2-b2 78.Kd3-c4 Ke5-d6 79.Kc4-d4 Rb2-c2 80.Kd4-d3 Rc2-h2 81.Kd3-e4 Rh2-h4+ 82.Ke4-e3 Kd6-c5 83.Ke3-d3 Kc5-d5 84.Kd3-e3 Rh4-h3+ 85.Ke3-f4 Rh3xc3 86.Kf4-f5 Rc3-f3+ 87.Kf5-g5 -5.36/23 ] 0-1

18 Levon Aronian Viswanathan Anand Linares-Morelia (5)

D23

22.02.2007

D23: Queen's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nf3 Nf6 sidelines 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6

11.Qc4-b3 Qd8-b6 12.Nf3-h4 11.Qc4-b3 Qd8-b6 12.Nf3-h4 Be7xh4 13.g3xh4 Ne4-f6 14.e2-e4 Bf5-g6 15.Qb3xb6 a7xb6 16.Bc1-f4 Rf8-e8 17.Ra1-d1 b6-b5 18.Bf4-d6 e6-e5 19.d4-d5 Nf6-h5 20.Bg2-f1 Standard Book moves end here f7-f6 [ 20...Nh5-f4 21.a2-a3= ;Houdini 2.0c : 20...Nh5-f4 21.f2-f3 Bg6-h5 22.Kg1-f2 Nd7-f8 23.a2-a3 Nf8-g6 24.Nc3-e2 Nf4xe2 25.Bf1xe2 Ng6-f4 26.Be2-f1 f7-f6 27.Bd6-c5 c6xd5 28.e4xd5 0.00/14 ] 21.b2-b3 [ 21.Bd6-c7 Re8-e7 22.d5xc6 b7xc6 23.Bc7-d6= ;Houdini annotates: 21.Bd6-c7 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9+pvLn+-zpp0 100 9+pvLn+-zpp0 100 9-+p+-zpl+0 9+p+Pzp-+n0 9-+-+P+-zP0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+RtRLmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.Qd1-c2 d5xc4 5.Qc2xc4 Bc8-f5 6.g2-g3 Nb8-d7 7.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 8.Bf1-g2 Bf8-e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Rf1-e1 Nf6-e4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8-e7 22.a2-a4 b5xa4 23.Bc7-d6 Re8-e7 22.a2-a4 b5xa4 23.Bc7-d6 Re7-e8 24.Bd6-a3 Nd7-f8 25.d5xc6 b7xc6 26.Rd1-d6 Nf8-e6 27.Rd6xc6 Nh5-f4 28.Bf1-c4 Bg6-h5 29.Re1-c1 0.20/12 ] 21...Nh5-f4= The knight dominates [Houdini annotates: 21...Nh5-f4 22.Rd1-d2 Bg6-h5 23.Re1-c1 Re8-c8 24.d5xc6 b7xc6 25.a2-a4 b5xa4 26.b3xa4 Nd7-b6 27.Rc1-a1 Bh5-f7 28.Bd6-c5 Rc8-b8 29.Ra1-d1 -0.06/14 ] 22.a2-a4 [ Houdini annotates: 22.a2-a4 Diagram b5xa4 23.b3xa4 c6xd5 24.Nc3xd5 Nf4xd5 25.Rd1xd5 Nd7-b6 26.Rd5-b5

218

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9+p+n+-zpp0 101 9-+pvL-zpl+0 101 9+p+Pzp-+-0 9P+-+Psn-zP0 9+PsN-+-+-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+RtRLmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Nb6xa4 27.Rb5xb7 Re8-c8 28.f2-f3 Na4-c3 29.Bd6-c7 Bg6-f7 30.Bf1-h3 Rc8-e8 31.Bc7-d6 Ra8-a2 32.Bh3-f5 Re8-d8 33.Bd6-e7 -0.04/14 ] 22...b5xa4 [Houdini annotates: 22...Bg6-h5 23.Rd1-b1 Re8-c8 24.d5xc6 Rc8xc6 25.Nc3xb5 Bh5-f7 26.Bd6-b4 Nd7-c5 27.Bb4xc5 Rc6xc5 28.Nb5-d6 Rc5-c7 29.Nd6xf7 Kg8xf7 30.Bf1-c4+ Kf7-g6 31.Rb1-d1 Ra8-c8 0.11/13 ] 23.b3xa4 [ Houdini annotates: 23.b3xa4 c6xd5 24.Nc3xd5 Nf4xd5 25.Rd1xd5 Bg6-f7 26.Rd5-b5 b7-b6 27.Rb5-b4 Re8-c8 28.Bf1-h3 Rc8-c6 29.Re1-d1 Nd7-c5 30.Bd6xc5 b6xc5 31.Rb4-b7 Rc6-a6 32.Rd1-d7 Ra8-f8 33.Rb7-a7 Ra6xa7 34.Rd7xa7 0.01/14 ] 23...Bg6-f7 [ 23...Re8-c8 24.d5xc6 Rc8xc6 25.Bd6-b4= ;Houdini annotates: 23...Re8-c8 24.d5xc6 Rc8xc6 25.Bd6-b4 Nd7-f8 26.Nc3-d5 Nf4xd5

219 c6-c5 33.Rb4-a4 Nd2xf1 34.Kg2xf1 c6-c5 33.Rb4-a4 Nd2xf1 34.Kg2xf1 Re8-d8 35.Nc3-b5 Rd8-b8 36.Nb5-d6 Rb8-b6 0.09/12 ] 24...Ra8-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 24...c6xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 24...c6xd5 25.Rb1xb7 Nd7-f8 26.e4xd5 Nf8-g6 27.Bf1-b5 Re8-c8 28.Bb5-c6 Ng6xh4 29.Re1-b1 Bf7-g6 30.Rb1-b2 Bg6-f5 31.Rb7-b6 Ra8-a5 32.Rb6-b8 Nh4-f3+ 33.Kg1-h1 h7-h6 34.Rb8xc8+ Bf5xc8 -0.12/14 ] 25.Re1-d1 [ 25.d5xc6 b7xc6 26.Re1-d1 Nf4-g6= ;Houdini 2. 0c : 25.d5xc6 b7xc6 26.Rb1-b4 Nd7-f8 27.Bd6-c5 Ra7-a8 28.Re1-d1 Nf8-g6 29.Rd1-d7 Bf7-e6 30.Rd7-c7 Re8-c8 31.Rc7xc8+ Ra8xc8 32.h4-h5 Ng6-h4 33.a4-a5 Ra8xc8 32.h4-h5 Ng6-h4 33.a4-a5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+k+0{ 9+-+-+-zpp0 102 9+-+-+-zpp0 102 9-+p+lzp-+0 9zP-vL-zp-+P0 9-tR-+Psn-sn0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+LmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Nh4-f3+ 34.Kg1-h1 -0.03/14 ] 27.e4xd5 Rc6-c2 28.Bf1-b5 Rc2-b2 29.Bb4-c3 Rb2-b3 30.Re1-e3 Ra8-c8 31.Rd1-c1 -0.04/13 ] 24.Rd1-b1= [ Houdini annotates: 24.d5xc6 b7xc6 25.a4-a5 Nf4-e6 26.a5-a6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nd7-c5 27.Bd6xc5 Ne6xc5 28.Rd1-a1 Nc5-b3 29.Ra1-a3 Nb3-d4 30.Re1-b1 Nd4-f3+ 31.Kg1-g2 Nf3-d2 32.Rb1-b4

220 25...Re8-c8 [ 25...c6xd5 26.Nc3xd5 25...Re8-c8 [ 25...c6xd5 26.Nc3xd5 Bf7xd5 27.e4xd5= ;Houdini annotates: 25...c6xd5 26.Nc3xd5 Bf7xd5 27.e4xd5 Re8-c8 28.a4-a5 Kg8-f7 29.Rb1-b2 Kf7-e8 30.Bd6-b4 h7-h5 31.Bf1-b5 Ke8-d8 32.d5-d6 g7-g6 33.Bb5-f1 Nd7-c5 34.Rb2-c2 0.02/13 ] 26.Nc3-e2 [Houdini annotates: 26.d5xc6 b7xc6 27.Bd6-a3 Bf7-e6 28.f2-f3 c6-c5 29.Kg1-f2 c5-c4 30.Rb1-b5 Be6-h3 31.Bf1xh3 Nf4xh3+ 32.Kf2-e3 Nh3-f4 33.a4-a5 Rc8-a8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Ba3-b4 Nf4-d3 35.Nc3-d5 0.04/14 ] 26...Nf4xe2+ [Houdini annotates: 26...Bf7-h5 27.Ne2xf4 Bh5xd1 28.Rb1xd1 e5xf4 29.Bf1-h3 b7-b6 30.Bh3-e6+ Kg8-h8 31.Bd6xf4 c6-c5 32.Rd1-b1 Rc8-d8 33.Kg1-g2 Nd7-e5 34.Bf4xe5 f6xe5 35.Rb1xb6 Ra7xa4 36.Kg2-f3 c5-c4 37.Kf3-e3 Ra4-a3+ 38.Ke3-d2 -0.16/14 ] 27.Bf1xe2 [ Houdini annotates: 27.Bf1xe2 Nd7-f8 28.Rd1-c1 Ra7xa4 29.Rb1xb7 Ra4xe4 30.Be2-f3 Re4-f4 31.Bf3-g2 Rf4-d4 32.Bd6xf8 Kg8xf8 33.Bg2-h3 Rc8-a8 34.d5xc6 Bf7-d5 35.h4-h5 Rd4-h4 36.Bh3-g2 Rh4-g4 -0.16/12 ] 27...c6xd5 [ 27...Ra7xa4 28.Be2-g4 Bf7-e8 29.Bg4-e6+ Kg8-h8 30.Rb1xb7 c6xd5 31.e4xd5+- ( 31.Be6xd7?! Be8xd7 32.Rb7xd7 Ra4xe4+- ; 31.Rb7xd7?! Be8xd7 32.Be6xd7 Ra4-d4 33.Rd1xd4 Rc8-c1+ 34.Kg1-g2 e5xd4 35.e4xd5 d4-d3± ); Houdini annotates: 27...Nd7-f8 28.Rd1-c1 Ra7xa4 29.Rb1xb7 Ra4xe4 30.Be2-f3 Re4-f4 31.Bf3-g2 Rf4-d4 32.Bd6xf8 Kg8xf8 33.Bg2-h3 Rc8-a8 34.d5xc6 Bf7-d5 35.h4-h5 Rd4-h4 36.Bh3-g2 Rh4-g4 -0.04/13 ] 28.e4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 28.e4xd5 Nd7-f8 29.f2-f4 e5xf4 30.Bd6xf4 Ra7xa4 31.Bf4-g3 Ra4-a7 32.Be2-g4 Rc8-d8 33.Bg3-f2 Ra7-a2 34.d5-d6 h7-h5 35.Bg4-f5 Bf7-e6 36.Bf5-e4 Ra2-a6 0.09/14 ] 28...Nd7-f8 [Houdini annotates: 28...Rc8-c2 29.Be2-b5 b7-b6 30.Bb5-c6 Rc2-a2 31.Rd1-c1 h7-h6 32.f2-f3 Ra2-d2 33.Rc1-d1 Rd2-c2 34.Bc6xd7 Ra7xd7 35.Rb1xb6 0.07/13 ] 29.Be2-b5 Menacing [ Houdini annotates: 29.Bd6-e7 Bf7-e8 30.a4-a5 Nf8-g6 31.Be7-b4

221 Be8-d7 32.Rb1-c1 Ra7-a8 33.d5-d6 Ng6-f4 34.Be2-f3 Nf4-h3+ 35.Kg1-f1 0.03/12 ] 29...Ra7-a8 [ 29...Nf8-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Bd6-a3 Ng6xh4 31.d5-d6² ; Houdini annotates: 29...Nf8-g6 30.Bd6-a3 Ng6xh4 31.d5-d6² ; Houdini annotates: 29...Nf8-g6 30.Bd6-b4 Bf7-e8 31.Bb5xe8 Rc8xe8 32.h4-h5 Ng6-h4 33.d5-d6 b7-b6 34.Bb4-c3 Ra7xa4 35.Rb1xb6 Re8-d8 36.Rb6-b7 Nh4-f5 37.Bc3-b4 Ra4-a2 38.Bb4-c5 Ra2-c2 0.04/13 ] 30.Bd6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 30.f2-f4 Rc8-d8 31.f4xe5 f6xe5 32.Bd6xe5 Rd8xd5 33.Be5-g3 Rd5xd1+ 34.Rb1xd1 Bf7-e8 35.Bb5xe8 Ra8xe8 36.Rd1-b1 Re8-e7 37.h4-h5 Nf8-e6 38.Kg1-g2 Ne6-d4 0.12/13 ] 30...Nf8-g6 [ Houdini annotates: 30...Bf7-h5 31.Rd1-c1 Bh5-g6 32.Rc1xc8 Ra8xc8 33.Rb1-e1 Kg8-f7 34.d5-d6 Rc8-c2 35.Be7xf8 Kf7xf8 36.Re1-d1 Rc2-c8 37.f2-f3 Rc8-a8 38.Rd1-c1 Ra8-d8 39.a4-a5 Rd8xd6 40.Rc1-c8+ Kf8-e7 41.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-e6 42.Rc7xb7 -0.03/15 ] 31.d5-d6 A strong pawn [ Houdini annotates: 31.d5-d6 Ng6xe7 32.d6xe7 Bf7-e8 33.a4-a5 Be8xb5 34.Rb1xb5 Rc8-e8 35.Rd1-d7 Kg8-f7 36.Kg1-f1 Re8xe7 37.Rd7xe7+ Kf7xe7 38.Rb5xb7+ Ke7f8 39.Rb7-b5 Kf8-e7 40.Kf1-e2 Ke7-d6 41.Ke2-d3 Ra8-a7 42.h4-h5 Kd6-c6 43.Kd3-c4 Ra7-b7 44.Rb5xb7 Kc6xb7 45.Kc4-d5 0.14/16 ] 31...Ng6xe7 [ 31...Ng6xh4 32.d6-d7 Nh4-f3+ 33.Kg1-g2 Nf3-h4+ 34.Kg2-h3 Rc8-c3+ 35.f2-f3 ( 35.Kh3xh4?? Diagram (Diagram 103) is to be avoided because of the following mate in 3 g7-g5+ 36.Kh4g4

222 Bf7-e6+ 37.Kg4-h5 Rc3-h3# ) 35...Bf7-e6+ 36.Kh3xh4 Rc3xf3 37.Be7xf6 Rf3-f4+ 38.Kh4-g3 Be6xd7 39.Bb5xd7 g7xf6 40.Rb1xb7+- ; Houdini annotates: 31...Ng6xe7 32.d6xe7 Bf7-e8 33.a4-a5 Be8xb5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0{ 9+p+PvLlzpp0 103 9-+-+-zp-+0 103 9+L+-zp-+-0 9P+-+-+-mK0 9+-tr-+-+-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+R+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

34.Rb1xb5 Rc8-e8 35.Rd1-d7 Kg8-f7 36.Kg1-g2 Re8xe7 37.Rd7xe7+ Kf7xe7 38.Rb5xb7+ Ke7-e6 39.h4-h5 Ra8xa5 40.Rb7xg7 h7-h6 41.Rg7-g6 e5-e4 42.Rg6xh6 Ra5-g5+ 43.Kg2-f1 Ke6-e5 44.Kf1-e2 Rg5-g2 0.20/16 ] 32.Bb5-d7 White threatens to win material: Bd7xc8 [ ¹32.d6xe7!? must be considered Bf7-e8 33.Bb5-e2= ;Houdini annotates: 32.d6xe7 Bf7-e8 33.a4-a5 Be8xb5 34.Rb1xb5 Rc8-e8 35.Rd1-d7 Kg8-f7 36.Rd7xb7 Re8xe7 37.Kg1-g2 Re7xb7 38.Rb5xb7+ Kf7-g6 39.Rb7-b5 Ra8-a6 40.Kg2-f3 Kg6-h5 41.Kf3-g3 Kh5-g6 42.f2-f4 Kg6-f5 43.f4xe5 f6xe5 0.12/15 ] 32...Ne7-c6 Wins material [Houdini annotates: 32...Ne7-g6 33.Bd7xc8 Ra8xc8 34.Rb1xb7 Rc8-d8 35.a4-a5 Bf7-c4 36.Rd1-c1 Bc4-d5 37.Rb7-a7 Ng6xh4

223 Ne5xd7 42.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 Ne5xd7 42.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 43.Rb6-b4 Nd7-c5 44.Ke2-e3 Bh3-g2 45.Rb4-c4 Nc5-a6 46.Rc4-c6 Na6-b4 47.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.15/18 ] 33...Nc6-d4 47.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.15/18 ] 33...Nc6-d4 A beautiful square! [Houdini annotates: 33...Nc6-d4 34.Bd7xc8 Ra8xc8 35.Rd1-b1 Rc8-f8 36.d6-d7 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-h1 Nf3-d4 39.f2-f3 g7-g5 40.h4xg5 f6xg5 41.Kh1-g2 g5-g4 42.f3xg4 Be6-d5+ 43.Kg2-g3 Bd5xb7 44.Rb6xb7 Rf8-d8 0.26/16 ] 34.Bd7xc8 [ Houdini annotates: 34.Bd7xc8 Ra8xc8 35.Rd1-b1 Rc8-f8 36.d6-d7 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Be6-h3+ 39.Kf1-e2 e5-e4 40.a4-a5 Nf3-e5 41.Rb7-b8 Ne5xd7 42.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 43.Rb6-b4 Nd7-c5 44.Ke2-e3 Bh3-g2 45.Rb4-c4 Nc5-a6 46.Rc4-c6 Na6-b4 47.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.15/14 ] 34...Ra8xc8 [Houdini annotates: 34...Ra8xc8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+k+0 9+R+-+lzpp0 104 9+R+-+lzpp0 104 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9P+-sn-+-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Rc1-c5 Bd5-f3 39.Rc5-c3 Kg8-f8 40.a5-a6 Bf3-d5 41.Rc3-c7 Nh4-f5 42.Rc7-c5 Bd5-a8 43.Rc5-c7 Kf8-e8 44.Kg1-f1 -0.12/14 ] 33.Rb1xb7 [ Houdini annotates: 33.Rb1xb7 Nc6-d4 34.Bd7xc8 Ra8xc8 35.Rd1-b1 Rc8-f8 36.d6-d7 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Be6-h3+ 39.Kf1-e2 e5-e4 40.a4-a5 Nf3-e5 41.Rb7-b8

224

9+-+R+-mK-0[ 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy

35.Rd1-b1 Rc8-f8 36.d6-d7 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Be6-h3+ 39.Kf1-e2 e5-e4 40.a4-a5 Nf3-e5 41.Rb7-b8 Ne5xd7 42.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 43.Rb6-b4 Nd7-c5 44.Ke2-e3 Bh3-g2 45.Rb4-c4 Nc5-a6 46.Rc4-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Na6-b4 47.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.23/15 ] 35.Rd1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 35.Rd1-b1 Nd4-f3+ 36.Kg1-h1 Bf7-e6 37.d6-d7 Rc8-f8 38.Rb1-b6 Nf3-d4 39.Kh1-g1 Nd4-f3+ 40.Kg1-f1 Be6-h3+ 41.Kf1-e2 e5-e4 42.a4-a5 Nf3-e5 43.Rb7-b8 Ne5xd7 44.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 45.Rb6-b4 Nd7-c5 46.Ke2-e3 Bh3-g2 47.Rb4-c4 Nc5-a6 48.Rc4-c6 Na6-b4 49.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 50.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.15/14 ] 35...Rc8-f8 [Houdini annotates: 35...Nd4-f3+ 36.Kg1-g2 Nf3xh4+ 37.Kg2-f1 Bf7-c4+ 38.Kf1-g1 Nh4-f3+ 39.Kg1-g2 Bc4-d5 40.Rb7-b8 Nf3-d2+ 41.Kg2-g1 Nd2-f3+ 42.Kg1-g2 Nf3-d2+ 0.03/13 ] 36.Rb7-b8 [ Houdini annotates: 36.d6-d7 Bf7-e6 37.Rb1-b6 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Be6-h3+ 39.Kf1-e2 e5-e4 40.a4-a5 Nf3-e5 41.Rb7-b8 Ne5xd7 42.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 43.Rb6-b4 Nd7-c5 44.Ke2-e3 Bh3-g2 45.Rb4-c4 Nc5-a6 46.Rc4-c6 Na6-b4 47.Rc6-c8+ Kf8-e7 48.Rc8-c7+ Ke7-f8 0.15/15 ] 36...Bf7-e8?? a transit from better to worse [ ¹36...Bf7-e6 would keep Black in the game 37.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 38.Rb1-b8+ Kf8-f7 39.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-f8= ;Houdini annotates: 36...Bf7-e6 37.Rb8xf8+ Kg8xf8 38.Rb1-b8+ Kf8-f7 39.Rb8-b7+ Kf7-f8 40.a4-a5 Nd4-f3+ 41.Kg1-g2 Nf3xh4+ 42.Kg2-f1 Be6-c4+ 43.Kf1-e1 Kf8-e8 44.Rb7xg7 h7-h5 45.Ke1-d2 Nh4-f5 46.d6-d7+ Ke8-d8 47.Rg7-h7 Nf5-d4 48.Kd2-c3 Bc4-a6 49.Rh7-f7 f6-f5 50.Rf7-f6 Ba6-b5 0.18/14 ] 37.a4-a5+[Houdini annotates: 37.a4-a5 Nd4-f3+ 38.Kg1-f1 Nf3-d4 39.a5-a6 Nd4-c6 40.Rb8-b7 Be8-g6 41.Rb1-b6

225 Bg6-d3+ 42.Kf1-e1 Bd3-e4 43.a6-a7 Be4-d5 44.Ke1-d2 Rf8-d8 1.33/12 ] 37...Nd4-f3+ [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37...Be8-b5 38.Rb8xb5 Nd4xb5 37...Be8-b5 38.Rb8xb5 Nd4xb5 39.Rb1xb5 Kg8-f7 40.Rb5-b7+ Kf7e6 41.d6-d7 Ke6-d6 42.a5-a6 Kd6c6 43.Kg1-g2 g7-g5 44.Kg2-f3 g5xh4 45.Kf3-e4 h7-h5 46.Ke4-f5 h4h3 47.Kf5-e6 e5-e4 1.71/13 ] 38.Kg1f1 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Kg1-f1 Nf3-d4 39.a5-a6 Nd4-c6 40.Rb8b7 Be8-g6 41.Rb1-b6 Bg6-d3+ 42.Kf1g1 Nc6-d4 43.a6-a7 Nd4-e2+ 44.Kg1f1 Ne2-d4+ 45.Kf1-e1 Rf8-c8 46.Ke1d2 Bd3-e4 47.Rb7-b8 Nd4f3+ 48.Kd2-e3 1.81/14 ] 38...Nf3d2+ [ 38...Nf3-d4± ;Houdini annotates: 38...Nf3-d4 39.a5-a6 Nd4c6 40.Rb8-b7 Be8-g6 41.Rb1b6 Bg6-d3+ 42.Kf1-g1 Nc6-d4 43.a6a7 Nd4-e2+ 44.Kg1-f1 Ne2c3+ 45.Kf1-e1 Nc3-d5 46.Rb6-b3 e5e4 47.Rb7-b8 1.50/13 ] 39.Kf1e1² White threatens to win material: Ke1xd2 [Houdini annotates: 39.Kf1-e1 Nd2-f3+ 40.Ke1-e2 Be8-

226 c6 41.a5-a6 Nf3-d4+ 42.Ke2-d2 Nd4-f3+ 43.Kd2-d3 Rf8xb8 44.Rb1xb8+ Kg8-f7 45.Rb8-c8 Bc6-b5+ 46.Kd3-e3 Bb5xa6 47.Rc8-c7+ Kf7-e6 48.Ke3xf3 Ke6xd6 49.Rc7xg7 Ba6-d3 50.Kf3-e3 Bd3-g6 51.Rg7-b7 1.63/11 ] 39...Nd2xb1? [ 39...Nd2-f3+ 40.Ke1-e2 Nf3xh4+- ;Houdini annotates: 39...Nd2-f3+ 40.Ke1-e2 Nf3-d4+ 41.Ke2-d2 Nd4-b5 42.Rb8xe8 Rf8xe8 43.Rb1xb5 Re8-d8 44.Rb5-b6 Kg8-f7 45.a5-a6 Kf7-e6 46.a6-a7 Rd8-a8 47.Rb6-a6 Ke6-d7 48.Kd2-d3 f6-f5 49.Kd3-c4 Ra8-c8+ 50.Kc4-d5 1.79/12 ] 40.a5-a6+- [Houdini annotates: 40.a5-a6 Be8-c6 41.a6-a7 Kg8-f7 42.d6-d7 Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d7 49.Ra8-h8 Kd7-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2 Nc3-d5 53.Kd2-d3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kf7-g6 54.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 55.Rc8-a8 Nd5-f4+ 56.Kd3-d2 Kf5-g6 57.Ra8-a6 Nf4-d5 58.f2-f3 Nd5-f4 59.Kd2-e3 Nf4-g2+ 60.Ke3-e4 Ng2xh4 2.52/16 ] 40...Be8-c6 [Houdini annotates: 40...Kg8-f7 41.a6-a7 Be8-c6 42.d6-d7 Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d7 49.Ra8-h8 Kd7-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2 Nc3-d5 53.Kd2-d3 Kf7-g6 54.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 55.Rc8-a8 Nd5-f4+ 56.Kd3-d2 Kf5-g6 57.Ra8-a6 Nf4-d5 58.f2-f3 Nd5-f4 59.Kd2-e3 Nf4-g2+ 60.Ke3-e4 Ng2xh4 2.63/17 ] 41.a6-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 41.a6-a7 Kg8-f7 42.d6-d7 Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d7 49.Ra8-h8 Kd7-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2 Nc3-d5 53.Kd2-d3 Kf7-g6 54.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 55.Rc8-a8 Nd5-f4+ 56.Kd3-d2 Kf5-g6 57.Ra8-a6 Nf4-d5 58.f2-f3 Nd5-f4 59.Kd2-e3 Nf4-g2+ 60.Ke3-e4 Ng2xh4 2.52/16 ] 41...Kg8-f7 [Houdini annotates: 41...Kg8-f7 42.d6-d7 Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d7 49.Ra8-h8 Kd7-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2 Nc3-d5 53.Kd2-d3 Kf7-g6 54.Rh8-c8 Kg6-f5 55.Rc8-a8 Nd5-f4+ 56.Kd3-d2 Kf5-g6 57.Ra8-a6 Nf4-d5 58.f2-f3 Nd5-f4 59.Kd2-e3 Nf4-g2+ 60.Ke3-e4 Ng2xh4 2.63/17 ] 42.d6-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 42.d6-d7 Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+

227 Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d6 49.Ra8-h8 Kd6-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kf7-g7 53.Rh8-b8 Nc3-d5 54.h4-h5 Kf7-g7 53.Rh8-b8 Nc3-d5 54.h4-h5 Nd5-f4 2.71/14 ] 42...Kf7-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 42...Kf7-e6 43.Rb8xf8 Ke6xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-c7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kc7-d6 49.Ra8-h8 Kd6-e6 50.Rh8xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Rh5-h8 Nb1-c3 52.Ke1-d2 Kf7-g7 53.Rh8-b8 Nc3-e4+ 54.Kd2-e3 2.82/15 ] 43.Rb8xf8 [Houdini annotates: 43.Rb8xf8 Ke7xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-d7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kd7-e6 49.Ra8-h8 Ke6-f7 50.Rh8xh5 Kf7-g7 51.Rh5-f5 Nb1-c3 52.Rf5-f3 Nc3-e4 53.Ke1-e2 2.29/12 ] 43...Ke7xd7 [Houdini annotates: 43...Ke7xd7 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-c8 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h5 46.Rg7-g8+ Kc8-d7 47.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 48.Rg8xa8 Kd7-e6 49.Ra8-h8 Ke6-f7 50.Rh8xh5 Kf7-g7 51.Rh5-f5 Nb1-c3 52.Rf5-f3 Nc3-e4 53.Ke1-e2 2.30/13 ] 44.a7-a8Q [ Houdini annotates: 44.Rf8-f7+ Kd7-d6 45.Rf7xg7 h7-h6 46.Rg7h7 Nb1-c3 47.Rh7xh6 Kd6-e6 48.Rh6-h8 Nc3-b5 49.a7-a8Q Bc6xa8 50.Rh8xa8 Ke6-f7 51.Ke1-d2 Kf7-g6 52.Kd2-e3 Nb5-d6 53.Ra8-g8+ Kg6-h5 54.Rg8-h8+ Kh5-g6 55.Ke3-e2 Nd6-f5 2.13/15 ] 44...Bc6xa8 [ Houdini annotates: 44...Bc6xa8 45.Rf8xa8 Kd7-e6 46.Ra8-a7 g7-g6 47.Ra7xh7 Nb1-c3 48.h4-h5 g6xh5 49.Rh7xh5 Nc3-d5 50.Rh5-h8 Nd5-f4 51.h2-h4 Ke6-f7 52.Ke1-d2 Kf7-g6 53.f2-f3 f6-f5 54.Rh8-f8 Kg6-h5 55.Rf8xf5+ Kh5xh4 56.Rf5xe5 1.72/13 ] 45.Rf8xa8 [Houdini annotates: 45.Rf8xa8 Kd7-e6 46.Ra8-a7 g7-g6 47.Ra7xh7 Nb1-c3 48.h4-h5 g6xh5

228 49.Rh7xh5 Nc3-d5 50.Rh5-h8 Nd5-f4 51.h2-h4 Ke6-f7 52.Ke1-d2 Kf7-g6 53.f2-f3 f6-f5 54.Rh8-f8 Kg6-h5 55.Rf8xf5+ Kh5xh4 56.Rf5xe5 1.51/14

229

Levon Aronian's Best Games ] 45...h7-h5? [ ¹45...Kd7-e7 46.Ra8-a7+ Ke7-f8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 45...Kd7-e6 46.Ra8-a7 g7-g6 47.Ra7xh7 Nb1-c3 48.h4-h5 g6xh5 49.Rh7xh5 Nc3-d5 50.Rh5-h8 Nd5-f4 51.h2-h4 Ke6-f7 52.Ke1-d2 Kf7-g6 53.f2-f3 f6-f5 54.Rh8-f8 Kg6-h5 55.Rf8xf5+ Kh5xh4 56.Rf5xe5 1.55/15 ] 46.Ra8-a7+ [Houdini annotates: 46.Ra8-a7+ Kd7-e6 47.Ra7xg7 Nb1-c3 48.Rg7-h7 Nc3-b5 49.Ke1-d2 Nb5-d4 50.Rh7xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Kd2-e3 Kf7-g6 52.Rh5-h8 Kg6-g7 53.Rh8-a8 Nd4-f5+ 54.Ke3-f3 Nf5xh4+ 55.Kf3-g4 Nh4-g2 56.h2-h4 Ng2-f4 57.Kg4-f5 Nf4-d3 58.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-h6 2.22/17 ] 46...Kd7-e6 [Houdini annotates: 46...Kd7-e6 47.Ra7xg7 Nb1-c3 48.Rg7-h7 Nc3-b5 49.Ke1-d2 Nb5-d4 50.Rh7xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Kd2-e3 Kf7-g6 52.Rh5-h8 Kg6-g7 53.Rh8-a8 Nd4-f5+ 54.Ke3-f3 Nf5xh4+ 55.Kf3-g4 Nh4-g2 56.h2-h4 Ng2-f4 57.Kg4-f5 Nf4-d3 58.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-h6 2.29/18 ] 47.Ra7xg7 [Houdini annotates: 47.Ra7xg7 Nb1-c3 48.Rg7-h7 Nc3-b5 49.Ke1-d2 Nb5-d4 50.Rh7xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Kd2-e3 Kf7-g6 52.Rh5-h8 Kg6-g7 53.Rh8-a8 Nd4-f5+ 54.Ke3-f3 Nf5xh4+ 55.Kf3-g4 Nh4-g2 56.h2-h4 Ng2-f4 57.Kg4-f5 Nf4-d3 58.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-h6 2.22/17 ] 47...Ke6-f5 [ 47...Nb1-a3 the only chance to get some counterplay 48.Rg7-h7 Na3-c2+ 49.Ke1-d2 Nc2-d4 50.Rh7xh5 Ke6-f7+- ;Houdini annotates: 47...Nb1-a3 48.Rg7-h7 Na3-c2+ 49.Ke1-d2 Nc2-d4 50.Rh7xh5 Ke6-f7 51.Kd2-e3 Kf7-g6 52.Rh5-h8 Kg6-g7 53.Rh8-a8 Nd4-f5+ 54.Ke3-f3 Nf5xh4+ 55.Kf3-g4 Nh4-g2 56.h2-h4

Kf5-g4 51.Rb3xb1 Kg4xh4 52.Rb1-b6 Kf5-g4 51.Rb3xb1 Kg4xh4 52.Rb1-b6 Kh4-g5 53.Ke2-e3 f6-f5 54.f2-f3 Kg5-h4 55.Rb6-h6 Kh4-g5 56.Rh6-e6 e5-e4 57.f3xe4 f5xe4 58.Re6xe4 Kg5-f6 59.h2-h4 Kf6-f5 60.Re4-c4 Kf5-f6 61.Rc4-c5 Kf6-e6 62.Rc5xh5 Ke6-f6 63.Rh5-g5 6.32/18 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 105 9+-+-+-+-0 105 9-+-+-zp-+0 9+-+-zpk+p0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+-tR-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+n+-mK-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0 Ng2-f4 57.Kg4-f5 Nf4-d3 58.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-h6 2.28/15 ] 48.Rg7-g3 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 48.Rg7-g3 Kf5-f4 49.Ke1-e2 Kf4-f5 50.Rg3-b3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 19 D12 19 D12 Aronian,Levon Viswanathan Anand Amber-blind 16th (9) 27.03.2007 D12: Slav Defence: 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.e2-e3 Bc8-f5 5.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 6.Nf3-h4 Bf5-g6 7.Nh4xg6 h7xg6 8.g2-g3 Nb8-d7 9.Bf1-g2 d5xc4 10.Qd1-e2 Bf8-e7 11.Qe2xc4 e6-e5 12.Nc3-e2 e5xd4 13.Ne2xd4 Nd7-e5 14.Qc4-c2 Be7-b4+ 15.Bc1-d2 Bb4xd2+ 16.Qc2xd2 0-0 17.Ra1-c1 Standard Book moves end here Qd8-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 17...Ra8-c8 18.Rc1-d1 Qd8-b6 19.0-0 Rc8-d8 20.Qd2-c3 Nf6-d5 21.Qc3-c2 Rf8-e8 22.a2-a3 Ne5-g4 23.Bg2xd5 Rd8xd5

230

231

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Nd4-f3 Ng4-e5 25.Nf3xe5 Re8xe5 26.b2-b4 Qb6-b5 27.e3-e4 -0.04/18 ] 18.0-0 [Houdini annotates: 18.0-0 Ra8-d8 19.Qd2-c3 Nf6-d5 20.Qc3-b3 Nd5-b4 21.Nd4-f3 Ne5xf3+ 22.Bg2xf3 Rd8-d3 23.Rc1-c3 Rd3xc3 24.b2xc3 Nb4-d3 25.Rf1-d1 Rf8-d8 26.Bf3-e2 Nd3-c5 27.Qb3-b4 Rd8xd1+ 28.Be2xd1 Qe7-e5 29.Qb4-d4 0.00/18 ] 18...c6-c5 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 18...Ra8-d8 19.Qd2-c3 Rd8-d6 20.Rf1-d1 Rf8-d8 21.Rd1-d2 Rd6-d7 22.Qc3-c5 Qe7xc5 23.Rc1xc5 Rd8-e8 24.Rd2-d1 g6-g5 25.h2-h3 g5-g4 26.h3xg4 Nf6xg4 27.Bg2-h3 Ne5-f3+ 28.Kg1-g2 -0.05/16 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9zpp+-wqpzp-0 106 9-+-+-snp+0 106 9+-zp-sn-+-0 9-+-sN-+-+0 9+-+-zP-zP-0 9PzP-wQ-zPLzP0 9+-tR-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 19.Nd4-f3 [Houdini annotates: 19.f2-f4 Ne5-g4 20.Nd4-c2 Nf6-e4 21.Qd2-e2 Ng4-f6 22.Nc2-e1 Ra8-d8 23.Ne1-d3 Rd8-d6 24.Nd3-e5 Qe7-e6 25.Qe2-c4 Qe6xc4 26.Ne5xc4 Rd6-d8 27.Rf1-d1 Rf8-e8 28.Bg2xe4 Nf6xe4 29.Kg1-g2 g6-g5 30.Rd1xd8 Re8xd8 0.08/18 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+k+0 9zpp+-+pzp-0 107 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-zp-+-zp-0 9-+N+nzP-+0 9+-+-zP-zP-0 9PzP-+-+KzP0 9+-tR-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 21.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 22.a2-a3 a7-a5 23.b2-b4 c5xb4 24.a3xb4 a5xb4 25.Qc2-c4 Rd8-d2 26.Qc4xb4 Rd2-b2 27.Qb4-a3 Qe5-b5 28.Qa3-e7 Rf8-e8 29.Qe7-a7 Qb5-e2 30.Rc1-c7 Rb2-a2 29.Qe7-a7 Qb5-e2 30.Rc1-c7 Rb2-a2 31.Qa7xb6 Re8-d8 0.10/18 ] 20.Qd2-c2 White threatens to win material: Qc2xc5 [Houdini annotates: 20.Qd2-e2 Ne5-d3 21.Rc1-c3 Nd3-b4 22.a2-a3 Nb4-c6 23.Rc3-c1 Ra8-c8 24.Qe2-b5 b7-b6 25.Bg2-h3 Rc8-c7 26.Rf1-d1 Nf6-e4 27.Qb5-e2 (Diagram 107) ] 19...Rf8-d8 Black threatens to win material: Rd8xd2 [Houdini annotates: 19...Ra8-d8 20.Qd2-c2 b7-b6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rd8xd1+ 28.Rc1xd1 Qe7-f6 Rd8xd1+ 28.Rc1xd1 Qe7-f6 29.Bh3-d7 g6-g5 30.Bd7-g4 Rc7-e7 0.27/18 ] 20...Ne5-d3 Black threatens to win material: Nd3xc1 [Houdini annotates: 20...Ra8-c8 21.Rf1-d1 b7b6 22.b2-b3 Nf6-g4 23.Nf3xe5 Ng4xe5 24.Qc2-e2 g6-g5 25.f2-f4 Rd8xd1+ 26.Rc1xd1 Ne5-g6 27.f4xg5 Qe7xg5 28.Rd1-d7 Rc8-e8 29.Qe2-f2 Re8-e7 30.Rd7-d3 Ng6-f8 0.13/17 ] 21.Rc1-d1 White threatens to win material: Rd1xd3 [Houdini annotates: 21.Rc1-d1 Nd3-b4 22.Qc2-b3 Ra8-c8 23.Nf3-g5 Rd8xd1 24.Rf1xd1 c5-c4 25.Qb3-a3 b7-b5 26.h2-h4 Rc8-e8 27.Rd1-d4 Qe7-c5 28.Kg1-h2 Re8-c8 29.Bg2-f3 a7-a6 30.Kh2-g2 Rc8-e8 31.Rd4-d1 Re8-c8 32.Bf3-b7 Rc8-e8

232

Levon Aronian's Best Games 0.22/20 ] 21...Nd3-b4 Black threatens to win material: Nb4xc2 [Houdini annotates: 21...Nd3-b4 22.Qc2-b3 Nf6-e4 23.a2-a3 Nb4-c6 24.Qb3-c2 Ra8-c8 25.Rf1-e1 Rc8-b8 26.Nf3-h4 Ne4-f6 27.Rd1xd8+ Rb8xd8 28.Re1-c1 Qe7-d6 29.Qc2-c4 Nf6-d7 30.Nh4-f3 Qd6-f6 31.Qc4-b5 Nd7-b6 32.b2-b3 Rd8-d5 33.Nf3-d4 Nc6xd4 34.e3xd4 0.19/18 ] 22.Qc2-b3 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qc2-c4 Nb4-c6 23.Nf3-g5 Nc6-e5 24.Qc4-b5 Ra8-b8 25.b2-b3 b7-b6 26.h2-h3 Rd8xd1 27.Rf1xd1 Nf6-e8 28.Ng5-f3 Ne8-d6 29.Qb5-e2 Rb8-d8 30.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 31.h3-h4 0.25/17 ] 22...Ra8-c8 [Houdini annotates: 22...Nf6-e4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-tr-+k+0 9zpp+-wqpzp-0 108 9-+-+-+p+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-sn-+n+-+0 9+Q+-zPNzP-0 9PzP-+-zPLzP0 9+-+R+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 23.a2-a3 Nb4-c6 24.Qb3-c2 Ra8-c8 25.Rf1-e1 Rc8-b8 26.Nf3-h4 Ne4-f6 27.Rd1xd8+ Rb8xd8 28.Re1-c1 Qe7-d6 29.Qc2-c4 Nf6-d7 30.Nh4-f3 Qd6-f6 31.Qc4-b5 Nd7-b6 32.b2-b3 Rd8-d5 33.Nf3-d4 Nc6xd4 34.e3xd4 0.19/18 ] 23.a2-a3 White threatens to win material: a3xb4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Nf3-g5 Rd8xd1

233 24.Rf1xd1 c5-c4 25.Qb3-a3 b7-b5 26.h2-h4 Rc8-e8 27.Rd1-d4 Qe7-c5 28.Kg1-h2 Re8-c8 29.Bg2-f3 a7-a6 30.Kh2-g2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rc8-e8 31.Rd4-d1 Re8-c8 32.Bf3-b7 Rc8-e8 31.Rd4-d1 Re8-c8 32.Bf3-b7 Rc8-e8 0.22/18 ] 23...Nb4-d5 [ Houdini annotates: 23...Nb4-c6 24.Nf3-h4 Kg8-h7 25.Rd1xd8 Rc8xd8 26.Rf1-c1 Rd8-c8 27.Qb3-a4 Rc8-c7 28.Nh4-f3 Kh7-g8 29.Qa4-b5 b7-b6 30.Nf3-g5 Nc6-e5 31.Rc1-d1 Rc7-d7 32.Rd1xd7 Qe7xd7 33.Qb5xd7 Nf6xd7 0.30/18 ] 24.Qb3-c4 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Nf3-d2 Nd5-b6 25.Nd2-b1 g6-g5 26.Nb1c3 g5-g4 27.Qb3-c2 Rc8-b8 28.Nc3-e4 Nf6xe4 29.Bg2xe4 g7-g6 30.b2-b3 Rb8-c8 31.Be4-h1 c5-c4 32.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8 33.b3xc4 0.26/16 ] 24...Nd5-b6 Black threatens to win material: Nb6xc4 [Houdini annotates: 24...a7-a6 25.Qc4-c2 b7-b5 26.Rf1-e1 Nd5-b6 27.Bg2-h3 Rd8xd1 28.Re1xd1 Rc8-e8 29.Bh3-g2 Nb6-c4 30.Bg2-f1 Nc4-e5 31.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 32.Bf1-g2 c5-c4 33.h2-h4 Kg8-h7 34.a3-a4 Qe5-f5 35.Qc2xf5 g6xf5 36.a4xb5 a6xb5 0.14/17 ] 25.Qc4-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Qc4-h4 c5-c4 26.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8 27.Rf1-e1 Rd8-e8 28.Qh4-g5 Nb6-c8 29.Nf3-d4 Nc8-d6 30.Re1-d1 Re8-d8 31.Qg5a5 a7-a6 32.Nd4-e2 Nf6-g4 33.Ne2f4 g6-g5 0.20/17 ] 25...Nb6-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 25...Rc8-b8 26.h2-h4 Nf6-e4 27.Nf3-d2 Ne4xd2 28.Rd1xd2 Rd8xd2 29.Qc2xd2 Nb6-c4 30.Qd2-e2 Nc4-d6 31.Rf1-d1 Rb8-d8 32.Qe2-c2 b7-b6 33.b2-b4 Qe7-e5 34.b4xc5 b6xc5 35.Bg2-d5 Qe5-h5 0.27/17 ] 26.Rf1-e1 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Bg2-h3 Rc8-b8 27.Bh3xd7 Rd8xd7

234 28.Rd1xd7 Nf6xd7 29.Rf1-d1 Nd7-f6 30.Qc2-d3 Rb8-c8 31.Nf3-g5 Qe7-e5 32.f2-f4 Qe5-e7 33.e3-e4 c5-c4 34.Qd3-e3 c4-c3 35.b2xc3 Qe7xa3 36.e4-e5 0.30/18 ] 26...b7-b5 [ 26...Nd7-b6!?² ;Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 26...Nf6-e4 27.Nf3-e5 Qe7xe5 28.f2-f4 Qe5-c7 29.Qc2xe4 Nd7-f6 30.Qe4-c4 Qc7-b6 31.Rd1xd8+ Qb6xd8 32.Qc4-b3 Qd8-d2 33.Re1-d1 Qd2-e2 34.Bg2-f1 c5-c4 35.Bf1xe2 c4xb3 36.Kg1-f2 Rc8-c2 0.22/16 ] 27.e3-e4± [Houdini annotates: 27.Re1-e2 Nd7-b6 28.Re2-d2 Rd8xd2 29.Qc2xd2 Nb6-c4 30.Qd2-c2 a7-a6 31.Bg2-f1 Nc4-b6 32.Nf3-g5 c5-c4 33.Bf1-g2 Rc8-d8 34.Qc2-e2 Nb6-d5 35.h2-h4 c4-c3 0.22/16 ] 27...Nd7-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 27...Nd7-e5 28.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 29.f2-f4 Qe5-e7 30.e4-e5 Nf6-e8 31.e5-e6 f7xe6 32.Rd1xd8 Rc8xd8 33.Qc2xg6 Ne8-c7 34.Bg2-e4 Qe7-f6 35.Qg6-h7+ Kg8-f8 36.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 37.Qh8-h5 Qf6-d4+ 38.Kg1-h1 c5-c4 39.Be4-f3 Rd8-d6 40.Re1-e2 c4-c3 41.b2xc3 Qd4xc3 42.f4-f5 Qc3xa3 43.Kh1-g2 Qa3-c3 44.Qh5-g5+ Qc3-f6 45.Qg5-f4 b5-b4 46.Qf4xb4 Qf6xf5 0.44/18 ] 28.Bg2-h3 [Houdini annotates: 28.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 29.Qc2-e4 Nd5-b6 30.Bg2-h3 Rd8xd1 31.Re1xd1 Rc8-c7 32.Qe4-e2 c5-c4 33.Nf3-d4 a7-a6 34.e5-e6 f7-f5 35.Rd1-e1 c4-c3 36.Bh3-g2 c3xb2 37.Qe2xb2 Nb6-c4 38.Qb2-b3 0.41/18 ] 28...Rd8xd1 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Rc8-b8 29.Rd1xd8 Rb8xd8 30.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 31.e5-e6 Nf8xe6 32.Bh3xe6 f7xe6 33.Nf3-e5 Rd8-c8 34.Ne5xg6 Qe7-f6 35.Ng6-e5 c5-c4 36.Kg1-g2 Qf6-f5 37.Qc2xf5 e6xf5 38.Re1-d1 Nd5-f6 39.f2-f4 Rc8-e8 40.h2-h3 0.47/18 Diagram (Diagram 109)

235

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0{ 9zp-+-+-zp-0 109 9zp-+-+-zp-0 109 9-+-+-sn-+0 9+p+-sNp+-0 9-+p+-zP-+0 9zP-+-+-zPP0 9-zP-+-+K+0 9+-+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy ] 29.Re1xd1 [Instead of 29.Qc2xd1 Rc8-d8 30.Qd1-c2 c5-c4² ;Houdini 2. 0c : 29.Re1xd1 Nf6-d7 30.Qc2-d3 c5-c4 31.Qd3-d6 Qe7xd6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Rd1xd6 Rc8-c7 33.Bh3xd7 Rc7xd7 32.Rd1xd6 Rc8-c7 33.Bh3xd7 Rc7xd7 34.e4-e5 a7-a6 35.Kg1-f1 Rd7xd6 36.e5xd6 f7-f6 37.Kf1-g2 Kg8-f7 38.Nf3-d4 Nf8-d7 39.f2-f4 Kf7-f8 40.Nd4-c6 Kf8-f7 0.37/19 ] 29...Rc8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 29...Nf6-d7 30.Qc2-d3 c5-c4 31.Qd3-d6 Qe7xd6 32.Rd1xd6 Rc8-c7 33.Bh3xd7 Rc7xd7 34.Rd6-d5 Rd7xd5 35.e4xd5 Nf8-d7 36.Kg1-g2 Kg8-f8 37.Nf3-d4 a7-a6 38.Nd4-c6 Kf8-e8 39.Kg2-f3 g6-g5 0.34/17 ] 30.e4-e5 [Houdini annotates: 30.e4-e5 Nf6-d7 31.Qc2-e4 Nd7-b6 32.Qe4-e3 Nb6-a4 33.b2-b3 Na4-b6 34.Rd1-e1 c5-c4 35.Nf3-d4 a7-a6 36.b3-b4 Nb6-a4 37.e5-e6 Kg8-h7 38.Qe3-e4 Na4-c3 39.Qe4-c2 Nc3-a4 40.Kg1-g2 0.46/19 ] 30...Nf6-d7 [Houdini annotates: 30...Nf6-d7 31.Qc2-e4 Nd7-b6 32.Qe4-e2 Qe7-e8 33.Rd1-e1 Rc7-e7 34.Nf3-g5 Nb6-c4 35.f2-f4 Nf8-h7 36.Ng5-e4 g6-g5 37.Ne4xc5 Qe8-c6 38.Qe2-f2 g5xf4 39.g3xf4 Re7-c7 40.b2-b4 Nh7-f8 41.Re1-d1 0.46/20 ] 31.Qc2-e4 [Houdini annotates: 31.Qc2-b3 Nd7xe5 32.Nf3xe5 Qe7xe5 33.Qb3xb5 Qe5-e7 34.Qb5-c4 Qe7-e5 35.b2-b3 Rc7-e7 36.Kg1-g2 Qe5-c7 37.Rd1-d5 Qc7-b7 38.Bh3-g4 Nf8-e6

236

Levon Aronian's Best Games 39.Bg4-f3 Qb7-b6 40.h2-h4 Ne6-d4 41.Qc4xc5 Qb6xc5 42.Rd5xc5 Nd4xb3 43.Rc5-c8+ Kg8-h7 0.45/17 ] 31...c5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 31...Nd7-b6 32.Qe4-e2 Qe7-e8 33.Rd1-e1 Rc7-e7 34.Nf3-g5 Nb6-c4 35.f2-f4 Nf8-h7 36.Ng5-e4 g6-g5 37.Ne4xc5 Qe8-c6 38.Qe2-f2 g5xf4 39.g3xf4 Re7-c7 40.b2-b4 Nh7-f8 41.Re1-d1 0.46/18 ] 32.Rd1-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Rd1-d6 Nd7-b6 33.Qe4-d4 Kg8-h7 34.e5-e6 f7-f6 35.Rd6-d8 Kh7-g8 36.Kg1-g2 Rc7-c8 37.Rd8xc8 Nb6xc8 38.Qd4-e3 Nc8-b6 39.Nf3-d4 Nb6-a4 40.Nd4-c6 Qe7-c7 41.Qe3-f3 Na4xb2 42.e6-e7 0.49/18 ] 32...Nd7-c5 Diagram [ 32...Nd7-b6 33.Qe4-d4± ;Houdini 2. 0c : 32...Nd7-b6 33.Qe4-d4 Kg8-h7 34.e5-e6 f7-f6 35.Rd6-d8 Kh7-g8 36.Kg1-g2 Rc7-c8 37.Rd8xc8 Nb6xc8 38.Qd4-e3 Nc8-d6 39.Nf3-d4 f6-f5 40.Qe3-e5 a7-a6 41.f2-f3 0.52/17 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-snk+0 9zp-tr-wqpzp-0 110 9-+-tR-+p+0 9+psn-zP-+-0 9-+p+Q+-+0 9zP-+-+NzPL0 9-zP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 33.Qe4-a8+- [Houdini annotates: 33.Qe4-a8 Nc5-d7 34.Bh3xd7 Rc7xd7 35.Qa8-d5 a7-a6 36.Kg1-g2 g6-g5

237 37.h2-h3 g7-g6 38.Nf3-d4 Kg8-g7 39.Nd4-c6 Rd7xd6 40.e5xd6 Qe7-b7 41.Qd5-e5+ Kg7-g8 42.Qe5-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qb7-d7 43.Qe8xd7 Nf8xd7 44.Nc6b4 a6-a5 45.Nb4-c6 a5-a4 46.Kg2-f3 Qb7-d7 43.Qe8xd7 Nf8xd7 44.Nc6b4 a6-a5 45.Nb4-c6 a5-a4 46.Kg2-f3 Kg8-f8 0.78/18 ] 33...Nc5-d3? [ ¹33...Nc5-a4!? 34.Rd6-d8 c4-c3 ( 34...Na4xb2?? a poisoned pawn 35.e5-e6 Qe7-c5 36.Rd8-d5+- ) 35.b2xc3 Na4-b6+- ;Houdini annotates: 33...Nc5-d7 34.Bh3xd7 Rc7xd7 35.Qa8-d5 a7-a6 36.Kg1-g2 g6-g5 37.h2-h3 Rd7-a7 38.Nf3-d4 Ra7-d7 39.Nd4-c6 Qe7-e8 40.Nc6-b4 g7-g6 41.Nb4-c6 Qe8-c8 42.a3-a4 Qc8-b7 43.a4-a5 Qb7-c8 44.Kg2-h2 Kg8-g7 45.Nc6-b4 Rd7xd6 46.e5xd6 0.83/17 ] 34.Rd6-d8 [Houdini annotates: 34.Rd6-d8 c4-c3 35.b2xc3 Nd3xf2 36.Kg1xf2 Rc7xc3 37.Bh3-f1 a7-a6 38.Qa8-d5 Kg8-h7 39.Qd5-d6 Qe7-a7+ 40.Qd6-d4 Qa7-e7 41.Qd4xc3 Qe7xd8 42.Qc3-c6 Qd8-a5 43.Nf3-g5+ Kh7-g8 44.Qc6-d5 Qa5-c7 45.h2-h4 Qc7-c2+ 46.Kf2-g1 Qc2-c7 47.Kg1-g2 Qc7-c2+ 48.Kg2-g1 Qc2-c7 2.63/14 ] 34...Qe7-c5 [ 34...g6-g5 35.Qa8b8 c4-c3 ( 35...Nd3xb2?? it may look tempting but Black must resist capturing the pawn 36.Rd8xf8+ Qe7xf8 37.Qb8xc7+- ) 36.b2xc3 Rc7xc3+- ;Houdini annotates: 34...c4-c3 35.b2xc3 Nd3xf2 36.Kg1xf2 Rc7xc3 37.Bh3-f1 a7-a6 38.Qa8-d5 Kg8-h7 39.Qd5-d6 Qe7-a7+ 40.Qd6-d4 Qa7-e7 41.Qd4xc3 Qe7xd8 42.Qc3-c6 Qd8-a5 43.Nf3-g5+ Kh7-g8 44.Qc6-d5 Qa5-b6+ 45.Kf2-g2 Qb6-c7 46.h2-h4 Qc7-c2+ 47.Kg2-g1 Qc2-f5 48.Bf1-d3 Qf5-d7 2.92/15 ] 35.e5-e6 [Houdini 2. 0c : 35.e5-e6 g6-g5 36.Nf3-d4 g7-g6 37.e6xf7+ Kg8xf7 38.Qa8-f3+ Kf7-g7

238 39.Qf3xf8+ Qc5xf8 40.Nd4-e6+ Kg7-f6 41.Rd8xf8+ Rc7-f7 42.Rf8xf7+ Kf6xf7 43.Ne6-d4 Nd3xb2 44.Nd4xb5 Kf7-f6 45.Kg1-f1

Levon Aronian's Best Games a7-a6 46.Nb5-c7 a6-a5 47.Kf1-e2 Nb2-d3 48.Nc7-d5+ Kf6-e5 3.33/13 ] 35...Nd3xf2 [ 35...g6-g5 doesn't improve anything 36.Nf3-d4 g7-g6 37.e6xf7+ Kg8xf7 38.Qa8-f3+ Kf7-g7 39.Qf3xf8+ Qc5xf8 40.Nd4-e6+ Kg7-f6 41.Rd8xf8+ ( 41.Ne6xf8?! Nd3xb2 42.Nf8-e6 Rc7-c6+- ) 41...Rc7-f7 42.Rf8xf7+ Kf6xf7 43.Ne6-d4+- ;Houdini annotates: 35...g6-g5 36.Nf3-d4 g7g6 37.e6xf7+ Kg8xf7 38.Qa8-f3+ Kf7-g7 39.Qf3xf8+ Qc5xf8 40.Nd4-e6+ Kg7-f6 41.Rd8xf8+ Rc7-f7 42.Rf8xf7+ Kf6xf7 43.Ne6-d4 Nd3xb2 44.Nd4xb5 Kf7-f6 45.Kg1-f1 a7-a6 46.Nb5-c7 a6-a5 47.Kf1-e2 Nb2-d3 48.Nc7-d5+ Kf6-e5 3.59/14 ] 36.e6xf7+ [ Houdini annotates: 36.e6xf7+ Rc7xf7 37.Bh3-e6 Nf2-g4+ 38.Kg1-h1 Ng4-f2+ 39.Kh1-g2 Nf2-g4 40.Be6xf7+ Kg8xf7 41.Rd8-c8 Qc5-d6 42.Qa8-e4 Ng4-f6 43.Nf3-g5+ Kf7-g8 44.Qe4-e6+ Qd6xe6 45.Ng5xe6 Nf6-d7 46.Rc8-a8 g6-g5 47.Ra8xa7 Nf8xe6 48.Ra7xd7 Kg8-f8 49.Rd7-d5 Kf8-e7 50.Rd5xb5 Ke7-d6 51.Rb5-b6+ Kd6-d5 52.a3-a4 Ne6-c7 53.Rb6-g6 Nc7-e6 54.a4-a5 4.56/16 ] 36...Kg8xf7 [ 36...Rc7xf7 is the last straw 37.Bh3-e6 Nf2-g4+ 38.Kg1-h1 Ng4-f2+ 39.Kh1-g2 Nf2-g4 40.Be6xg4 Rf7-f6+- ;Houdini annotates: 36...Rc7xf7 37.Bh3-e6 Nf2-g4+ 38.Kg1-h1 Ng4-f2+ 39.Kh1-g2 Nf2-g4 40.Be6xf7+ Kg8xf7 41.Rd8-c8 Qc5-d6 42.Qa8-e4 Ng4-f6 43.Nf3-g5+ Kf7-g8 44.Qe4-e6+ Qd6xe6 45.Ng5xe6 Nf6-d7 46.Rc8-a8 g6-g5 47.Ra8xa7 Nf8xe6 48.Ra7xd7 Kg8-f8 49.Rd7-d5 Kf8-e7 50.Rd5xb5 Ke7-d6 51.a3-a4

239 Kd6-c6 52.Rb5-b4 Kc6-c5 53.Rb4-b7 Kc5-c6 54.Rb7-f7 Kc6-c5 55.Kg2-f3 Kc5-b4 56.Rf7-a7 4.87/17 ] 37.Rd8xf8+! Deflection: f2 [Houdini 2.

Levon Aronian's Best Games 0c : 37.Rd8xf8+ Qc5xf8 0c : 37.Rd8xf8+ Qc5xf8 38.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-e7 39.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-f6 40.Qa8xf8+ Rc7-f7 41.Qf8d6+ Kf6-g5 42.Ng6-f4 Nf2xh3+ 43.Nf4xh3+ Kg5-f5 44.Nh3-f4 Kf5-e4 45.Qd6-e6+ Ke4-d4 46.Qe6xf7 Kd4e3 47.Qf7xg7 Ke3-d2 48.Qg7xa7 Kd2-c1 49.Qa7-d4 Kc1-c2 50.Qd4-c3+ Kc2-b1 51.Qc3-e5 Kb1-c1 52.Qe5xb5 c4-c3 53.b2xc3 Kc1-c2 54.c3-c4 Kc2-d2 55.c4-c5 Kd2-c2 56.c5-c6 Kc2-c3 57.Qb5b4+ Kc3-c2 58.c6-c7 22.00/14 ] 37...Qc5xf8 [Houdini annotates: 37...Qc5xf8 38.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-e7 39.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-f6 40.Qa8xf8+ Rc7-f7 41.Qf8-d6+ Kf6-g5 42.Ng6-f4 Nf2xh3+ 43.Nf4xh3+ Kg5-f5 44.Nh3-f4 Kf5-e4 45.Qd6-e6+ Ke4-d4 46.Qe6xf7 Kd4-e3 47.Qf7xg7 Ke3-d2 48.Qg7xa7 Kd2-c2 49.Qa7-d4 Kc2-b1 50.Qd4e5 b5-b4 51.a3xb4 Kb1-a1 52.b4-b5 Ka1-a2 53.b5-b6 21.69/15 ] 38.Nf3-e5+ Diagram [ 38.Nf3e5+ Kf7-e7 39.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-f6 40.Qa8xf8+ Rc7-f7 41.Qf8-d6+ Kf6-g5 42.Ng6-f4 Nf2xh3+ 43.Nf4xh3+ Kg5-h5 44.g3-g4+ Kh5xg4 45.Qd6-e6+ Kg4-h5 46.Qe6xf7+ Kh5-h6 47.Nh3-f4 Kh6-g5 48.Nf4e6+ Kg5-g4 49.Qf7-f4+ Kg4-h3 50.Qf4-g3# ;Houdini annotates: 38.Nf3-e5+ Kf7-e7 39.Ne5xg6+ Ke7-f6 40.Qa8xf8+ Rc7-f7 41.Qf8d6+ Kf6-g5 42.Ng6-f4 Nf2xh3+ 43.Nf4xh3+ Kg5-f5 44.Nh3-f4 Kf5-e4 45.Qd6-e6+ Ke4-d4 46.Qe6xf7 Kd4e3 47.Qf7xg7 Ke3-d2 48.Qg7xa7 Kd2-c2 49.Qa7-d4 Kc2-b1 50.Qd4-e5 Kb1-c1 51.Qe5xb5 c4-c3 52.b2xc3 Kc1-c2 53.c3-c4

240 Kc2-d2 54.c4-c5 Kd2-c2 55.c5-c6 Kc2-c3 56.Qb5-b4+ Kc3-c2 57.c6-c7 20.80/16 ] 1-0

Simply Irrestible

31.Rxh4+ “The only good Rook is a working Rook!” - Samuel Reshevsky

121

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9Q+-+-wq-+0{ 9zp-tr-+kzp-0 111 9-+-+-+p+0 9+p+-sN-+-0 9-+p+-+-+0 9zP-+-+-zPL0 9-zP-+-sn-zP0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 20 Viswanathan Anand Levon Aronian Morelia-Linares (2)

C89

16.02.2008

C89: Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.Rf1-e1 b7-b5 7.Ba4-b3 0-0 8.c2-c3 d7-d5 9.e4xd5 Nf6xd5 10.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 11.Re1xe5 c7-c6 12.Re5-e1 Be7-d6 13.g2-g3 Rf8-e8 14.d2-d4 Re8xe1+ 15.Qd1xe1 Ra8-a7 16.Bc1-e3 Ra7-e7 17.Nb1-d2 Qd8-e8 18.Nd2-f1 h7-h5 19.a2-a4 Bc8-e6 20.Bb3-d1 h5-h4 last book move 21.a4xb5 [Houdini 2. 0c : 21.Bd1-f3 h4xg3 22.h2xg3 Be6-d7 23.Kg1-g2 Qe8-c8 24.a4xb5 Bd7-h3+ 25.Kg2-g1 a6xb5 26.Ra1-a5 Qc8-f5 27.Qe1-d1 Bd6-b8 28.Ra5-a8 Re7-e8 29.Ra8-a6 Qf5-c8 30.Ra6-a3 Bh3-f5 0.27/15 ] 21...a6xb5 [ Houdini annotates: 21...a6xb5

28.d4-d5 c6xd5 29.Bf3xd5 Bd6-b8 28.d4-d5 c6xd5 29.Bf3xd5 Bd6-b8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-vlq+-+k+0 9+-+-trpzp-0 112 9-+-+-+-+0 9+p+L+l+-0 9-+n+-+-+0 9+-zP -vL -zP-0 22.Bd1-f3 h4xg3 23.h2xg3 Be6-d7 24.Kg1-g2 Bd7-f5 25.Qe1-d2 Qe8-c8 26.Kg2-g1 Nd5-b6 27.Qd2-e2 Nb6-c4

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9-zP-+QzP-+0 9-zP-+QzP-+0 9tR-+-+NmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 30.Ra1-d1 Re7-d7 0.24/15 ] 22.Bd1-f3 [Houdini annotates: 22.Qe1-d2 h4xg3 23.f2xg3 Be6-h3 24.Be3-f2 Nd5-f6 25.Bd1-f3 Nf6-e4 26.Bf3xe4 Re7xe4 27.Nf1-e3 Bd6-c7 28.Qd2-d3 Re4-e6 29.d4-d5 Re6-f6 30.Ra1-a6 Qe8-d8 31.Ra6-a7 0.23/14 ] 22...Be6-h3 last book move [ Houdini annotates: 22...h4xg3 23.h2xg3 Be6-d7 24.Kg1-g2 Bd7-f5 25.Qe1-d2 Qe8-c8 26.Kg2-g1 Nd5-b6 27.Qd2-e2 Nb6-c4 28.d4-d5 c6xd5 29.Bf3xd5 Bd6-b8 30.Ra1-d1 Diagram (Diagram 113) Re7-d7 0.24/13 ] 23.Bf3xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Ra1-a6 Bh3-c8 24.Ra6-a8 Nd5-b6 25.Ra8a2 h4xg3 26.h2xg3 Nb6-c4 27.Qe1e2 Nc4xe3 28.Nf1xe3 Bd6xg3 29.Ra2-a8 Bg3-d6 30.Bf3-g4 Re7-c7 31.Ne3-f5 Qe8xe2 32.Bg4xe2 0.25/15 ] 23...c6xd5 Black has the pair of bishops [Houdini annotates: 23...c6xd5 24.Qe1-e2 h4xg3 25.h2xg3 b5-b4 26.Qe2-f3 b4xc3 27.b2xc3 Bh3-e6 28.Be3-f4 Bd6xf4 29.Qf3xf4

122

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-vlq+-+k+0{ 9+-+-trpzp-0 113 9-+-+-+-+0 9+p+L+l+-0 9-+n+-+-+0 9+-zP-vL-zP-0 9-zP-+QzP-+0 9+-+R+NmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qe8-c6 30.Qf4-d2 Re7-e8 31.Nf1-e3 Re8-c8 32.Ra1-a3 Qc6-d6 33.Ra3-a5 Rc8-b8 34.Ra5-a1 0.32/15 ] 24.Qe1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 24.Qe1-e2 h4xg3 25.h2xg3 b5-b4 26.c3-c4 d5xc4 27.Qe2xc4 Re7-c7 28.Qc4-d5 Bd6-f8 29.Qd5-e5 Qe8xe5 30.d4xe5 Rc7-c2 31.b2-b3 Bh3xf1 32.Kg1xf1 Rc2-b2 33.Ra1-a7 Rb2xb3 0.35/14 ] 24...f7-f5 [ 24...h4xg3!? 25.h2xg3 b5-b4² ; Houdini annotates: 24...h4xg3 25.h2xg3 Qe8-c6 26.Qd1-f3 Re7-e4 27.Ra1-a7 Bd6-c7 28.Be3-f4 Bc7-b6 29.Ra7-a1 b5-b4 30.Nf1-d2 Re4-e7 31.Bf4-e5 b4xc3 32.b2xc3 Bh3-c8 0.26/14 ] 25.Be3-g5± [Houdini annotates : 25.Qd1-b3 Qe8-c6 26.Be3-g5 Re7-e8 27.Bg5xh4 f5-f4 28.Bh4-g5 f4xg3 29.h2xg3 Bh3-f5 30.Nf1-e3 Bf5-e4 31.Bg5-h4 Bd6-c7 32.Qb3-d1 Re8-f8 33.f2-f4 Rf8-e8 34.Qd1-e2 Bc7-b8 35.Ra1-a5 Qc6-g6

123 32.Bf4-e5 Bf8-e7 33.Be5-c7 Qb1-a1 32.Bf4-e5 Bf8-e7 33.Be5-c7 Qb1-a1 34.Bc7-b8 Be7-f8 35.Bb8-e5 Qa1-b1 36.f2-f4 Bh3xf1 37.Qe2xf1 Qb1xb2 0.47/15 ] 26.Bg5xh4+- [Houdini annotates : 26.Bg5xh4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+q+k+0{ 9+-+-+-zp-0 114 9+-+-+-zp-0 114 9-+-vl-+-+0 9+p+p+p+-0 9-+-zPr+-vL0 9+-zP-+-zPl0 9-zP-+-zP-zP0 9tR-+Q+NmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg8-h7 27.Qd1-d3 Re4-e1 36.Bh4-g5 0.91/15 ] 25...Re7-e4 [ 25...Re7-e2!? 26.Ra1-a8! Deflection: e2 Qe8xa8 27.Qd1xe2 b5-b4± ; Houdini annotates: 25...Re7-e2 26.Ra1-a8 Qe8xa8 27.Qd1xe2 b5-b4 28.c3xb4 Bd6xb4 29.Bg5xh4 Qa8-a1 30.Bh4-g5 Qa1-b1 31.Bg5-f4 Bb4-f8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 28.Ra1xe1 Qe8xe1 29.Bh4-d8 b5-b4 28.Ra1xe1 Qe8xe1 29.Bh4-d8 b5-b4 30.Bd8-b6 Qe1-a1 31.Bb6-c5 b4xc3 32.b2xc3 Bd6xc5 33.d4xc5 Bh3xf1 34.Qd3xf1 Qa1xc3 35.Qf1-e2 Qc3xc5 36.Qe2-h5+ Kh7-g8 37.Qh5xf5 Qc5-d4 38.Kg1-g2 Qd4-d2 0.51/16 ] 26...Qe8-g6 [Houdini annotates: 26...Kg8-h7 27.Qd1-d3 Re4-e1 28.Ra1xe1 Qe8xe1 29.Bh4-d8 b5-b4 30.Bd8-b6 Qe1-a1 31.Bb6-c5 b4xc3 32.b2xc3 Bd6xc5 33.d4xc5 Bh3xf1 34.Qd3xf1 Qa1xc3 35.Qf1-e2 Qc3xc5 36.Qe2-h5+ Kh7-g8 37.Qh5xf5 Qc5-c4 0.61/15 ] 27.Bh4-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 27.Bh4-d8 Re4-e8 28.Bd8-b6 f5-f4 29.Bb6-c5 Bd6-c7 30.Qd1-b1 Qg6xb1 31.Ra1xb1 Re8-e2 32.b2-b3 Kg8-h7 33.Bc5-b4 Bh3-c8 34.Rb1-a1 Kh7-g6 35.Ra1-a8 Bc8-f5 36.Ra8-a7 Bc7-b6 0.60/17 ] 27...f5-f4 [Houdini annotates: 27...b5-b4 28.Bd8-b6 b4xc3 29.b2xc3 Qg6-e8 30.Bb6-c5 Bd6-c7 31.Qd1-d3 Re4-e1 32.Ra1xe1 Qe8xe1 33.Bc5-b4

124

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bc7-d8 34.f2-f4 Kg8-h7 35.Qd3-f3 g7-g6 0.71/14 ] 28.Qd1-d3 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Bd8-b6 Re4-e8 29.Qd1-f3 Qg6-f5 30.Bb6-c5 Bd6-c7 31.g3xf4 Bc7xf4 32.Bc5-a3 Qf5-g5+ 33.Nf1-g3 b5-b4 34.Ba3xb4 Bf4-c1 35.Qf3-d1 Bc1xb2 36.Ra1-a7 Bh3-f5 37.h2-h4 Qg5-g6 0.72/14 ] 28...Qg6-h5 [Houdini annotates: 28...b5-b4 29.Bd8-h4 Bh3-f5 30.Qd3-b5 Qg6-e6 31.Nf1-d2 Re4-e1+ 32.Ra1xe1 Qe6xe1+ 33.Nd2-f1 Bf5-e4 34.Qb5-c6 Bd6-f8 35.g3xf4 Qe1-c1 36.f2-f3 Be4xf3 37.Qc6-e6+ Kg8-h8 38.Qe6-f5 Bf8-d6 0.93/14 ] 29.Nf1-d2 White threatens to win material: Nd2xe4 [ ¹29.Bd8-b6± ;Houdini annotates: 29.Bd8-b6 Qh5-e2 30.Qd3-d1 Qe2xd1 31.Ra1xd1 Re4-e2 32.Bb6-c5 Bd6-b8 33.b2-b3 Kg8-f7 34.Rd1-a1 Re2-b2 35.Bc5-b4 f4xg3 36.h2xg3 Rb2xb3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-vl-+-+-+0 9+-+-+kzp-0 115 9-+-+-+-+0 115 9+p+p+-+-0 9-vL-zP-+-+0 9+rzP-+-zPl0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9tR-+-+NmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 37.Nf1-e3 Bh3-e6 38.Kg1-g2

125 loses his initiative [ ¹30.Bd8-h4 loses his initiative [ ¹30.Bd8-h4 would bring relief Re2xd2 31.Ra1-a8+ ( ‹31.Qd3xd2 Qh5-f3 32.Ra1-a8+ Kg8-h7 33.Qd2-c2+ g7-g6 34.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-h6 35.Bh4-g5+ Kh6xg5 36.g3xf4+ Bd6xf4 37.Qc2xg6+ Kg5xg6 38.Ra7-a6+ Kg6-f5 39.Ra6-f6+ Kf5xf6 40.c3-c4 Qf3-g2# ) 31...Kg8-f7 32.Ra8-a7+ ( 32.Qd3xd2 is refuted by a beautiful mate Qh5-f3 33.Ra8-a7+ Kf7-g8 34.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-h7 35.Qd2-c2+ g7-g6 36.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-h6 37.Bh4-g5+ Kh6xg5 38.g3xf4+ Bd6xf4 39.Qc2xg6+ Kg5xg6 40.Ra7-a6+ Kg6-f5 41.Ra6-f6+ Kf5xf6 42.c3-c4 Qf3-g2# ) 32...Kf7-g8 33.Ra7-a8+ ( 33.Qd3xd2 allows the opponent a nice mating combination Qh5-f3 34.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-h7 35.Qd2-c2+ g7-g6 36.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-h6 37.Bh4-g5+ Kh6xg5 38.g3xf4+ Bd6xf4 39.Qc2xg6+ Kg5xg6 40.Ra7-a6+ Kg6-g5 41.Ra6-g6+ Kg5xg6 42.c3-c4 Qf3-d1# ) 33...Kg8-f7 34.Ra8-a7+ ( 34.Qd3xd2 is not to be advocated because of the following mating combination Qh5-f3 35.Ra8-a7+ Kf7-g8 36.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-h7 because of the following mating combination Qh5-f3 35.Ra8-a7+ Kf7-g8 36.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-h7 37.Qd2-c2+ g7-g6 38.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-h6 39.Bh4-g5+ Kh6xg5 40.g3xf4+ Bd6xf4 41.Qc2xg6+ Kg5xg6 42.Ra7-a6+ Kg6-g5 43.Ra6-g6+ Kg5xg6 44.c3-c4 Rb3-b2 0.48/15 ] 29...Re4-e2= [ Houdini annotates: 29...Re4-e2 30.Bd8-h4 Re2xd2 31.Ra1-a8+ Kg8-f7 32.Ra8-a7+ Kf7-g8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-f7 0.06/17 ] 30.Nd2-f3?? with this move White

126 Qf3-d1# ) 34...Kf7-g8 35.Ra7-a8+= Qf3-d1# ) 34...Kf7-g8 35.Ra7-a8+= ( 35.Qd3xd2 is not directly advisable since it leads to the following attractive mate Qh5-f3 36.Ra7-a8+ Kg8-h7 37.Qd2-c2+ g7-g6 38.Ra8-a7+ Kh7-h6 39.Bh4-g5+ Kh6xg5 40.g3xf4+ Bd6xf4 41.Qc2xg6+ Kg5xg6 42.Ra7-a6+ Kg6-g5 43.Ra6-g6+ Kg5xg6 44.c3-c4 Qf3-d1# );Houdini annotates: 30.Bd8-h4 Bh3-f5 31.Qd3-f3 Bf5-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Ra1-a8+ Kg8-h7 33.Qf3-d3+ Bg4-f5 34.Qd3-f3 Bf5-g4 35.Qf3-d3+ -0.07/14 ] 30...Re2-e3-+ [Houdini annotates : 30...Re2-e3 31.Qd3xe3 f4xe3 32.Nf3-g5 e3xf2+ 33.Kg1xf2 Bh3-g4 34.h2-h3 Bg4-d1 35.Kf2-g1 Qh5-e2 36.Ra1-a8 Qe2-e1+ 37.Kg1-g2 Qe1xg3+ 38.Kg2-f1 Qg3-d3+ 39.Kf1-g1 Qd3-e3+ 40.Kg1-g2 Qe3-d2+ 41.Kg2-g1 -5.46/12 ] 31.f2xe3?? Diagram [ 31.Qd3-d1 Re3xf3 32.Qd1-d2 f4xg3 33.h2xg3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 31.Qd3-d1 Re3xf3 32.Qd1-e1 f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Rf3-f8 34.Qe1-d1 Qh5xd1+ 35.Ra1xd1 Rf8xd8 36.Rd1-a1 Bh3-f5 37.Ra1-a5 Rd8-e8 38.Ra5-a6 Re8-e1+ 39.Kg1-g2 Bd6-f8 40.Kg2-f3 Kg8-f7 41.Ra6-a7+ Kf7-f6 -5.74/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-vL-+k+0{ 9+-+-+-zp-0 116 9-+-vl-+-+0 116 9+p+p+-+q0 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9+-zPQzPNzPl0 9-zP-+-+-zP0 9tR-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

127 32.Qd3-f1 Bh3xf1 33.Ra1xf1 Qf3xe3+ 32.Qd3-f1 Bh3xf1 33.Ra1xf1 Qf3xe3+ 34.Kg1-h1 f4xg3 35.Bd8-e7 Qe3-e4+ 36.Kh1-g1 g3xh2+ 37.Kg1-f2 Bd6xe7 38.Kf2-g3 Be7-d6+ 39.Kg3-f2 Qe4-h4+ 40.Kf2-e2 Qh4-g4+ 41.Ke2-e3 Qg4-g3+ 42.Ke3-e2 Qg3-g2+ 43.Rf1-f2 Qg2-e4+ 44.Ke2-d2 h2-h1Q 45.Rf2-e2 Qh1-h6+ 46.Kd2-e1 Qh6-c1+ 47.Ke1-f2 Qc1-f4+ 48.Kf2-g1 Qe4xe2 49.c3-c4 Qf4-c1# -#18/16 ] 32...f4xg3 [ Houdini annotates: 32...f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Qf3xg3+ 34.Kg1-h1 Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5xc2 36.Rf1-f8+ Bd6xf8 37.Bd8-e7 Bc2-e4# -#6/19 ] 33.h2xg3 [Houdini annotates: 33.h2xg3 Qf3xg3+ 34.Kg1-h1 Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5xc2 36.Rf1-f8+ Bd6xf8 37.Bd8-e7 Bc2-e4# -#5/20 ] 33...Qf3xg3+ [ Houdini annotates: 33...Qf3xg3+ 34.Kg1-h1 Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5xc2 36.Rf1-f8+ Bd6xf8 37.Bd8-e7 Bc2-e4# -#5/17 ] 34.Kg1-h1 Bc2-e4# -#5/17 ] 34.Kg1-h1 [ Houdini annotates: 34.Kg1-h1 Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5xc2 36.Rf1-f8+ Bd6xf8 37.Bd8-e7 Bc2-e4# -#4/18 ] 34...Bh3-f5!! Diagram [ 34...Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5-e4+ 36.Rf1-f3 Be4xf3+ 37.Qc2-g2 Qg3xg2# ;Houdini annotates: 34...Bh3-f5 35.Ra1-f1 Bf5xc2 36.Rf1-f8+ Bd6xf8 37.Bd8-e7 Bc2-e4# -#4/15 ]

terrible, but the game is lost in any case 31...Qh5xf3 [Houdini annotates: 31...Qh5xf3 32.Qd3-f1 Bh3xf1 33.Ra1xf1 Qf3xe3+ 34.Kg1-g2 f4xg3 35.Rf1-f8+ Kg8xf8 36.h2xg3 Bd6xg3

(Diagram 117) 37.Bd8-g5 Qe3xg5 38.b2-b4 Qg5-g4 39.c3-c4 d5xc4 40.d4-d5 Bg3-h4+ 41.Kg2-h2 Qg4-g3+ 42.Kh2-h1 Qg3-f3+ 43.Kh1-g1 Bh4-f2+ 44.Kg1-f1 Bf2-c5+ 45.Kf1-e1 Bc5xb4# -#15/15 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Qd3-c2 [Houdini annotates:

128 Mate attack Mate attack 0-1

129

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-vL-+k+0 9+-+-+-zp-0 117 9-+-vl-+-+0 9+p+p+l+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-zP-zP-wq-0 9-zPQ+-+-+0 9tR-+-+-+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 21 Levon Aronian Andrei Volokitin Euro Club Cup (6)

24.a2-a3 Qb4-c4 25.Rh1-g1 h6-h5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0 9zpp+-+-+-0 118 9zpp+-+-+-0 118 9-+-+p+-+0 9+-zp-vlr+p0 9-+q+-+n+0 9zP-sN-vL-+-0 9-zPQ+-zP-+0

18.e5xf6 Rf8xf6 19.Nf3-d2 c6-c5 20.Nd2xc4 Qb6-b4 21.Nc4-e5 Nd7xe5 22.d4xe5 Rf6-f5 23.0-0-0 Bg7xe5

D10

22.10.2008

D94: Grünfeld: 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 e3 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.e2-e3 g7-g6 5.Ng1-f3 Bf8-g7 6.h2-h3 0-0 7.Bf1-d3 Bc8-e6 8.Nf3-g5 Be6-f5 9.Bd3xf5 g6xf5 10.Qd1-b3 Qd8-b6 11.Qb3-c2 e7-e6 12.g2-g4 h7-h6 13.Ng5-f3 f5xg4 14.h3xg4 Nf6xg4 15.e3-e4 d5xc4 16.e4-e5 Nb8-d7 Standard Book moves end here 17.Bc1-e3 [Houdini annotates: 17.Rh1-g1 f7-f5 18.e5xf6 Nd7xf6 19.Qc2-g6 Rf8-f7 20.Rg1xg4 Nf6xg4 21.Qg6xg4 Ra8-f8 22.Bc1xh6 Qb6xb2 23.Ra1-c1 Kg8-h8 24.Qg4-h4 Rf7xf3 25.Bh6xg7+ Kh8xg7 26.Qh4-g4+ Kg7-f6 27.Qg4xf3+ Kf6-e7 28.Qf3-e3 Rf8xf2 29.Qe3xf2 Qb2xc1+ 30.Nc3-d1 -0.13/12 ] 17...f7-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 17...f7-f6

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9+-mKR+-tR-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26.Kc1-b1 Be5xc3 27.b2xc3 Ra8-f8 28.Rd1-d6 -0.56/13 ] 18.0-0-0 [ Houdini annotates: 18.0-0-0 c6-c5 19.d4-d5 Bg7xe5 20.Be3xh6 Rf8-f6 21.Bh6-g5 Rf6-g6 22.Kc1-b1 Ra8-e8 23.d5xe6 Qb6xe6 24.Nc3-d5 b7-b5 25.Bg5-f4 Nd7-f6 26.Nf3-g5 -0.32/13 ] 18...c6-c5 [Houdini annotates: 18...Ra8-e8 19.Kc1-b1 Rf8-f7 20.Rd1-g1 c6-c5 21.d4xc5 Nd7xc5 22.Qc2-e2 Ng4xe3 23.f2xe3 Nc5-d3 24.Rh1-h4 Re8-d8 25.Rh4xc4 Rf7-d7 -0.26/12 ] 19.d4-d5 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 19.d4-d5 Bg7xe5 20.Be3xh6 Rf8-f6 21.Bh6-e3 Be5xc3 22.Qc2xc3 e6-e5 23.Qc3xc4 Qb6-a6 24.Qc4xa6 Rf6xa6 25.Kc1-b1 Ra8-f8 26.Rh1-h5 Kg8-g7 27.Nf3-g5 Ng4xe3 28.Rh5-h7+ Kg7-g6 29.f2xe3 Kg6xg5 30.Rh7xd7 -0.27/13 ] (Diagram 119) 19...f5-f4 [ ¹19...Nd7xe5 would be a reprieve 20.Nf3xe5 Bg7xe5³ ; Houdini annotates: 19...Bg7xe5 20.Be3xh6 Rf8-f6 21.Bh6-e3 Be5xc3 22.Qc2xc3 e6-e5 23.Qc3xc4 Qb6-a6

130

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9zpp+n+-vl-0 119 9-wq-+p+-zp0 119 9+-zpPzPp+-0 9-+p+-+n+0 9+-sN-vLN+-0 9PzPQ+-zP-+0 9+-mKR+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy 24.Qc4xa6 Rf6xa6 25.Kc1-b1 Ra8-f8 26.Rd1-g1 Ra6-d6 27.Nf3-h2 Rd6xd5 28.Nh2xg4 f5xg4 29.Rg1xg4+ Kg8-f7 30.Rh1-h7+ Kf7-e6 31.Rg4-g6+ Ke6-f5 -0.10/13 ] 20.Nf3-g5+[ Houdini annotates: 20.Nf3-g5 h6xg5 21.Qc2-h7+ Kg8-f7 22.Nc3-e4 e6xd5 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Nf4xd3 Kd7-d6 36.Kd1-c2 Rh8-h2 37.Re1-e2 b7-b5 38.Nd3-f4 0.48/15 ] 20...h6xg5 [ Houdini annotates: 20...h6xg5 21.Qc2-h7+ Kg8-f7 22.Nc3-e4 e6xd5 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4

131 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Nf4xd3 Kd7-d6 36.Kd1-c2 Rh8-h2 37.Kc2-d2 a7-a5 38.Kd2-c3 0.31/13 ] 21...Kg8-f7 [Houdini annotates: 21...Kg8-f7 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-tr-+0 9zpp+n+kvlQ0 120 9zpp+n+kvlQ0 9-wq-+p+-+0 9+-zpPzP-zp-0 9-+p+-zpn+0 9+-sN-vL-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Kd1-d2 Rh8-h2 36.Nf4xd3 b7-b6 37.Kd2-c2 Nf6-g4 38.Re1-e2 1.12/15 ] 21.Qc2-h7+ [Houdini annotates: 21.Qc2-h7+ Kg8-f7 22.Nc3-e4 e6xd5 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 9+-m KR+-+R0[ 9+-mKR+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 22.d5xe6+ Qb6xe6 23.Nc3-e4 Kf7-e8 24.Qh7-h5+ Rf8-f7 25.Ne4xg5 Qe6-f5 26.e5-e6 f4xe3 27.e6xd7+ Ke8-e7 28.Qh5xf7+ Qf5xf7 29.Ng5xf7 Ke7xf7 30.d7-d8Q Ra8xd8 31.Rd1xd8 e3xf2 32.Rd8-d7+ Kf7-g6 33.Rh1-f1 b7-b6 34.Rd7xa7 Bg7-h6+ 35.Kc1-d1 Ng4-e3+ 36.Kd1-e2 Ne3xf1 37.Ke2xf1 0.32/1 ] 22.Nc3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Nc3-e4 e6xd5 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Nf4xd3 Kd7-d6 36.Kd1-c2 Rh8-h2 37.Kc2d2 a7-a5 38.Kd2-c3 Nf6-d5+ 0.31/13 ] 22...e6xd5 [ 22...f4xe3 23.d5xe6+

132

133

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qb6xe6 24.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e7 25.Ng5xe6 Nd7xe5 26.Ne6xf8 Ke7xf8 27.Qh7-f5+ Kf8-e7 28.f2xe3+- ; 22...Ng4xe3 23.d5xe6+ Qb6xe6 24.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e7 25.Qh7xg7+ Rf8-f7 26.Ng5xf7+- ; 22...Ng4xe5 23.d5xe6+ Kf7xe6 24.Qh7xg7+- ; 22...Nd7xe5 23.Qh7-h5+ Kf7-g8 24.Qh5-h7+ Kg8-f7 25.d5xe6+ Kf7xe6 26.Ne4xg5+ Ke6-f6 27.Be3xc5+- ; Houdini annotates: 22...e6xd5 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Nf4xd3 Kd7-d6 36.Kd1-c2 Rh8-h2 37.Re1-d1 Nf6-d5 38.Rd1-g1 Nd5-e3+ 39.Kc2-c3 0.48/13 ] 23.e5-e6+ [ ¹23.Qh7-h5+ and White can hope to live Kf7-g8 24.Qh5-h7+ Kg8-f7 25.Qh7-h5+ Kf7-g8 26.Qh5-h7+ Kg8-f7= ;Houdini annotates: 23.Ne4xg5+ Kf7-e8 24.Qh7xg7 Ng4xe5 25.Rd1xd5 Qb6-f6 26.Qg7xf6 Rf8xf6 27.Be3xc5 Ne5-d3+ 28.Rd5xd3 c4xd3 29.Rh1-e1+ Ke8-d8 30.Bc5-e7+ Kd8-c7 31.Be7xf6 Nd7xf6 32.Ng5-e6+ Kc7-d7 33.Ne6xf4 Ra8-c8+ 34.Kc1-d1 Rc8-h8 35.Nf4xd3 Kd7-d6 36.Kd1-d2 Rh8-h2 37.Kd2-c2 a7-a5 38.Kc2-c3 0.34/12 ] 23...Kf7xe6-+ [Houdini annotates: 23...Kf7xe6 24.Qh7xg7 Ra8-d8 25.Qg7-g6+ Ng4-f6 26.Ne4xg5+ Ke6-d6 27.Be3xf4+ Kd6-c6 28.Ng5-e6 Rf8-g8 29.Ne6xd8+ Qb6xd8 30.Qg6-f5 b7-b6 31.Bf4-g5 d5-d4 32.Rh1-e1 Rg8-f8 33.Kc1-b1 Kc6-b7 34.Qf5-f3+ Kb7-a6 35.Re1-e6 d4-d3

0.26/14 ] 24.Qh7xg7 [Houdini annotates : 24.Qh7xg7 Ra8-d8 25.Qg7-g6+ Ng4-f6 26.Ne4xg5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke6-d6 27.Be3xf4+ Kd6-c6 28.Ng5-e6 Ke6-d6 27.Be3xf4+ Kd6-c6 28.Ng5-e6 Rf8-g8 29.Qg6-f5 Rd8-c8 30.Rh1-h6 Kc6-b5 31.Kc1-b1 Rg8-e8 32.Rd1-e1 0.12/13 ] 24...Ng4-f6?? there were better ways to keep up the pressure [ 24...Qb6-c6!? 25.Ne4xc5+ Nd7xc5 26.Be3xc5 Rf8g8 ( 26...Qc6xc5 27.Rd1-e1+ Ng4-e3 28.f2xe3 Qc5xe3+ 29.Re1xe3+ f4xe3 30.Qg7xg5+- ) 27.Rh1-e1+ Ke6-f5 28.Qg7-f7+ Ng4-f6+- ;Houdini annotates: 24...Ra8-d8 25.Qg7-g6+ Ng4-f6 26.Ne4xg5+ Ke6-d6 27.Be3xf4+ Kd6-c6 28.Ng5-e6 Rf8-g8 29.Ne6xd8+ Qb6xd8 30.Qg6-f5 d5-d4 31.Kc1-b1 b7-b5 32.Bf4-g3 d4-d3 33.Rd1-e1 Rg8-e8 0.06/12 ] 25.Be3xc5 [ ¹25.Ne4xc5+ Qb6xc5 26.Be3xc5 Nd7xc5 27.Rh1-e1+ ( ‹27.Qg7xg5 Nc5-d3+ 28.Rd1xd3 c4xd3+- ) 27...Ke6-d6 28.b2-b4 c4xb3 29.a2xb3+- ;Houdini annotates: 25.Ne4xf6 Nd7xf6 26.Be3xc5 Qb6xc5 27.Rd1-e1+ Ke6-f5 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-e6 31.Qg7-c7 Nf6-g4 32.Qc7xb7 Ra8-d8 33.Rg5-g7 Ke6-f5 34.Qb7-e7 e3xf2 35.Qe7-g5+ Kf5-e6 36.Qg5xg4+ Ke6-d6 37.Qg4g3+ Kd6-c5 38.Qg3-a3+ Kc5-d4 39.Rg7-g4+ Kd4-e5 40.Qa3-e3+ Ke5-f5 41.Rg4-f4+ Kf5-g6 42.Rf4xf2 Rf8xf2 4.61/13 ] 25...Nd7xc5= [ Houdini annotates: 25...Qb6xc5 Diagram (Diagram 121)

134 26.Ne4xc5+ Nd7xc5 27.Rh1-e1+ Ke6-d6 28.b2-b4 c4xb3 29.a2xb3 a7-a5 30.Kc1-b1 Kd6-c6 31.Qg7xg5 Kc6-b5 32.Qg5xf4 a5-a4 33.b3-b4 Nf6-e4 34.Qf4-e3 Kb5xb4 35.Rd1-d4+ Kb4-a5 36.Rd4xd5 2.20/13 ] 26.Ne4xc5+ [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-tr-+0 9zpp+n+-wQ-0 121 9-+-+ksn-+0 9+-wqp+-zp-0 9-+p+Nzp-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-mKR+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26.Ne4xc5+ Qb6xc5 27.Rd1-e1+ Ke6-f5 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-f4 31.f2xe3+ Kf4xe3 32.Rg5-f5 Ke3-d4 33.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 34.Qg7xf6+ Kd4-c5 35.Qf6-e7+ Kc5-c6 36.Kc1-c2 b7-b6 37.Kc2-c3 a7-a5 38.Kc3-d4 Ra8-c8 39.Qe7-e6+ Kc6-b7 40.Qe6xd5+ Rc8-c6 41.Kd4-c3 4.84/14 ] 26...Qb6xc5?? not a good decision, because now the opponent is right back in the game [ ¹26...Ke6-d6 this is the best bet to save the position 27.Nc5-e4+ Nf6xe4 28.Rh1-h6+ Ne4-f6 29.Rh6xf6+ Rf8xf6 30.Qg7xf6+ Kd6-c5 31.Qf6-d4+ Kc5-b5 32.Qd4xd5+ Kb5-a6 33.Qd5xc4+ Qb6-b5 34.Qc4xb5+ Ka6xb5 35.Rd1-d5+ Kb5-c4 36.Rd5xg5 Kc4-d3= ;Houdini annotates: 26...Ke6-d6 27.Nc5xb7+ Kd6-c6 28.Rd1-e1 Kc6-b5 29.a2-a4+ Kb5xa4 30.Re1-e6 Ka4-b5 31.Re6xb6+ a7xb6 32.Rh1-h6 Kb5-c6 33.Qg7-e7 d5-d4 34.Rh6xf6+ Rf8xf6 35.Qe7xf6+ Kc6xb7 36.Qf6xg5 Ra8-a1+ 37.Kc1-d2 Ra1-a5 38.Qg5xf4 Ra5-d5

135 39.Qf4-e4 Kb7-c6 40.f2-f4 b6-b5 41.f4-f5 b5-b4 5.12/15 ] 27.Rd1-e1++[Houdini annotates: 27.Rd1-e1+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke6-f5 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ Ke6-f5 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-f4 31.f2xe3+ Kf4xe3 32.Rg5-f5 Ke3-d4 33.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 34.Qg7xf6+ Kd4-c5 35.Qf6-e7+ Kc5-c6 36.Kc1-c2 a7-a6 37.Kc2-c3 b7-b5 38.Kc3-d4 Ra8-b8 39.Qe7-c5+ Kc6-b7 40.Qc5xd5+ Kb7-b6 41.Qd5-e6+ Kb6-b7 42.Qe6-d7+ Kb7-b6 43.Kd4-c3 Kb6-a5 44.Qd7-c7+ Rb8-b6 45.Qc7-e5 4.81/16 ] 27...Ke6-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 27...Ke6-f5 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-f4 31.f2xe3+ Kf4xe3 32.Rg5-f5 Ke3-d4 33.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 34.Qg7xf6+ Kd4-c5 35.Qf6-e7+ Kc5-c6 36.Kc1-c2 a7-a6 37.Kc2-c3 b7-b5 38.Kc3-d4 Ra8-b8 39.Qe7c5+ Kc6-b7 40.Qc5xd5+ Kb7-b6 41.Qd5-e6+ Kb6-b7 42.Qe6d7+ Kb7-b6 43.Kd4-c3 Kb6-a5 44.Qd7-c7+ Rb8-b6 45.Qc7-e5 5.05/17 ] 28.Rh1-h5!! Deflection: g5 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Rh1-h5 Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-f4 31.f2xe3+ Kf4xe3 32.Rg5-f5 Ra8-e8 33.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 34.Qg7xf6 Re8-e4 35.Qf6-g5+ Ke3-d4 36.Qg5-g7+ Kd4-c5 37.Qg7xb7 a7-a5 38.Qb7-c7+ Kc5-d4 39.Qc7xa5 Re4-e2 40.Qa5-b6+ Diagram (Diagram 122) Kd4-e5 41.Kc1-d1 Re2-g2 42.a2-a4 Ke5-e4 43.a4-a5 4.78/15 ] 28...Nf6xh5 [ 28...Nf6xh5 29.Re1-e5+ Deflection ; Houdini annotates: 28...Qc5-e3+ 29.Re1xe3 f4xe3 30.Rh5xg5+ Kf5-f4 31.f2xe3+ Kf4xe3 32.Rg5-f5 Ra8-e8

136 33.Rf5xf6 Rf8xf6 34.Qg7xf6 Re8-e4 35.Qf6-g5+ Ke3-d4 36.Qg5-g7+ Kd4-c5 37.Qg7xb7 a7-a5 38.Qb7-c7+ Kc5-d4 39.Qc7xa5 Re4-e2 40.Qa5-b6+ Kd4-e5 41.Kc1-d1

137

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 122 9-wQ-+-+-+0 122 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+pmk-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+r+-+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Re2-g2 42.a2-a4 Ke5-e4 43.a4-a5 5.05/16 ] 29.Re1-e5+ [Houdini annotates : 29.Re1-e5+ Kf5-g4 30.Qg7xg5+ Kg4-h3 31.Qg5xh5+ Kh3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #7/9 ] 29...Kf5-g4 [Houdini annotates: 29...Kf5-g4 30.Qg7xg5+ Kg4-h3 31.Qg5xh5+ Kh3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #6/1 ] 30.Qg7xg5+ [Houdini annotates: 30.Qg7xg5+ Kg4-h3 31.Qg5xh5+ Kh3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #6/19 ] 30...Kg4-f3 [Houdini annotates: 30...Kg4-h3 31.Qg5xh5+ Kh3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #5/20 ] 31.Qg5xh5+ Diagram [Houdini annotates:

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-tr-+0{ 9zpp+-+-+-0 123 9zpp+-+-+-0 123 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-wqptR-+Q0 9-+p+-zp-+0 9+-+-+k+-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 31.Qg5xh5+ Kf3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #5/17 ] 31...Kf3xf2 [ 31...Kf3-g2 doesn't do any good 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5-g5+

138

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg1-h1 35.Qe2-h5# ;Houdini annotates: 31...Kf3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 Kg1-h1 35.Qe2-h5# ;Houdini annotates: 31...Kf3-g2 32.Qh5-g4+ Kg2-f1 33.Qg4-e2+ Kf1-g1 34.Re5g5+ Kg1-h2 35.Qe2-h5# #4/18 ] 32.Qh5-e2+ [ 32.Qh5-e2+ Kf2g3 33.Re5-g5+ Kg3-h4 34.Qe2-g4# ; Houdini annotates: 32.Qh5-e2+ Kf2-g3 33.Re5-g5+ Kg3-h4 34.Qe2-h5# #3/15 ] 1 0

22 D47 Viswanathan Anand Levon Aronian Linares Linares ESP 20.02.2009 D46: Semi-Slav: 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3, Black avoids the Meran 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7c6 3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.Nb1-c3 e7e6 5.e2-e3 Nb8-d7 6.Bf1-d3 d5xc4 7.Bd3xc4 b7-b5 8.Bc4-d3 Bf8d6 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qd1-c2 Bc8b7 11.a2-a3 a7-a6 12.Nf3-g5 Bd6xh2+ 13.Kg1xh2 Nf6-g4+ 14.Kh2g1 Qd8xg5 15.f2-f3 Ng4-f6 16.e3-

e4 Qg5-h4 17.Bc1-e3 e6-e5 18.Nc3-e2 Nf6-h5 19.Qc2-d2 h7-h6 20.Rf1-d1 Ra8-e8 Standard Book moves end here

(2)

Levon Aronian's Best Games 21.Bd3-c2 [Houdini annotates: 21.Ra1-c1 Re8-e6 22.Be3-f2 Qh4-g5 23.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 24.Qd2xg5 h6xg5 25.Bd3-b1 Nh5-f4 26.Ne2xf4 g5xf4 27.Bf2-c5 Rf8-e8 28.b2-b4 Re6-g6 29.Kg1-f2 Rg6-g3 30.Bb1-a2 Bb7-c8 0.36/15 ] 21...Re8-e6 [Houdini annotates : 21...Re8-d8 22.Ra1-c1 Rf8-e8 23.b2-b4 c6-c5 24.d4xc5 Nd7xc5 25.Qd2-c3 Rd8xd1+ 26.Rc1xd1 Nc5-a4 27.Bc2xa4 b5xa4 28.Qc3-c7 Bb7-c8 29.Qc7-a5 Qh4-f6 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+l+r+k+0 9+-+-+pzp-0 124 9p+-+-wq-zp0 124 9wQ-+-zp-+n0 9pzP-+P+-+0 9zP-+-vLP+-0 9-+-+N+P+0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 30.Qa5xa4 Re8-d8 31.Be3-c5 Nh5-f4 32.Rd1xd8+ Qf6xd8 33.Ne2xf4 e5xf4 34.Qa4-c2 Bc8-e6 0.20/15 ] 22.Be3-f2 [Houdini annotates: 22.Qd2-e1 Qh4xe1+ 23.Rd1xe1 Rf8-d8 24.Re1-d1 Re6-d6 25.b2-b4 Nh5-f6 26.Kg1-f2 Bb7-a8 27.Ra1-c1 Nf6-e8 28.Bc2-b3 Ba8-b7 29.g2-g4 Bb7-c8 30.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 0.38/15 ] 22...Qh4-e7 [Houdini annotates: 22...Qh4-f6 23.Ra1-c1 Re6-d6 24.d4xe5 Rd6xd2 25.e5xf6 Rd2xd1+

139 [ Houdini annotates: 23.d4xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 23.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 24.Ne2-d4 Re6-g6 25.Nd4-f5 Qe7-c7 26.Nf5-h4 Rg6-e6 27.Bc2-b3 Ne5-c4 28.Bb3xc4 b5xc4 29.Nh4-f5 Nh5-f4 30.Qd2-d7 Qc7xd7 31.Rd1xd7 Bb7-a8 32.Bf2-d4 Nf4-e2+ 33.Kg1-f2 Ne2xd4 34.Nf5xd4 0.47/14 ] 23...Re6-g6 [Houdini annotates: 23...Re6-g6 24.Kg1-f1 Nh5-f6 25.Ne2-g3 e5xd4 26.Ng3-f5 Qe7-e6 27.Qd2xd4 c6-c5 28.Qd4-d6 Rf8-e8 29.Qd6xe6 Re8xe6 30.a3-a4 Bb7-c6 31.a4xb5 Bc6xb5+ 32.Kf1-g2 Nf6-h5 33.Bf2-e3 0.34/14 ] 24.Kg1-f1 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Kg1-h1 Nh5-f6 25.b2-b4 Rf8-e8 26.Ra1-c1 Qe7-e6 27.Qd2-c3 Nf6xg4 28.f3xg4 Qe7-e6 27.Qd2-c3 Nf6xg4 28.f3xg4 Qe6xg4 29.Ne2-g3 e5xd4 30.Rd1xd4 Nd7-e5 31.Bc2-d1 Qg4-f4 32.Rd4-d2 c6-c5 0.18/15 ] 24...Nh5-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 24...Nh5-f6 25.Ne2-g3 e5xd4 26.Ng3-f5 Qe7-e6 27.Qd2xd4 c6-c5 28.Qd4-c3 Rf8-e8 29.Bf2-g3 Qe6-b6 30.Rd1-d6 Bb7-c6 26.Rc1xd1 Nh5xf6 27.b2-b4 Nd7-e5 28.Bc2-b3 Bb7-c8 29.Bf2-c5 Rf8-e8 30.Ne2-d4 Bc8-e6 31.Nd4xe6 f7xe6 32.Kg1-f2 Kg8-f7 0.27/14 ] 23.g2-g4 White threatens to win material: g4xh5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 31.Ra1-d1 Qb6-b7 32.b2-b3 Rg6-g5 31.Ra1-d1 Qb6-b7 32.b2-b3 Rg6-g5 33.Bg3-f4 Rg5-g6 34.Rd6-d2 0.32/16 ] 25.Ne2-g3 [Houdini annotates: 25.Qd2-b4 Qe7-e8 26.Qb4-c3 h6-h5 27.d4xe5 Qe8xe5 28.g4xh5 Rg6-h6 29.Ne2-g3 Qe5xc3 30.b2xc3 Nd7-e5 31.Bf2-c5 Rf8-e8 32.Bc5-e3 Ne5xf3 33.Be3xh6 g7xh6 0.37/13 ] 25...Nf6xg4 [ 25...e5xd4!? deserves consideration 26.Ng3-f5 Qe7-e8 27.Bf2xd4 c6-c5² ;Houdini annotates: 25...Qe7-e6 26.Ng3-f5 e5xd4 27.Qd2xd4 c6-c5 28.Qd4-c3 Rf8-e8 29.Bf2-g3 Qe6-b6 30.Rd1-d6 Bb7-c6 31.Ra1-d1 Qb6-b7 32.b2-b3 Rg6-g5 33.Bg3-f4 Rg5-g6 34.Rd6-d2 0.32/15 ] 26.f3xg4± [Houdini annotates: 26.f3xg4 Qe7-h4 27.Ng3-f5 Qh4-h3+ 28.Kf1-e1 Rf8-e8 29.a3-a4 Rg6xg4 Diagram 30.Qd2-e3 Qh3-h1+ 31.Ke1-d2

140

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9+l+n+pzp-0 125 9p+p+-+-zp0 9+p+-zpN+-0 9P+-zPP+r+0 9+-+-+-+q0 9-zPLwQ-vL-+0 9tR-+RmK-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Qh1-h2 32.Rd1-h1 e5xd4 33.Qe3xd4 Qh2-f4+ 34.Bf2-e3 Qf4xf5 35.e4xf5 Rg4xd4+ 36.Be3xd4 c6-c5 37.Bd4-f2 Bb7xh1 38.Ra1xh1 Re8-e5 39.a4xb5 a6xb5 40.Rh1-a1 Re5-d5+ 41.Kd2-e2 Rd5-e5+ 42.Ke2-f3 Re5-e8 43.Ra1-a5 0.94/17 ] 26...Qe7-h4 [ Houdini annotates: 26...Qe7-h4 27.Ng3-f5 Qh4-h3+ 28.Kf1-e1 Rf8-e8 29.a3-a4 Rg6xg4 30.Qd2-e3 Qh3-h1+ 31.Ke1-d2 Qh1-h2 32.Rd1-h1 e5xd4 33.Qe3xd4 Qh2-f4+ 34.Bf2-e3 Qf4xf5 35.e4xf5 Rg4xd4+ 36.Be3xd4 c6-c5 37.Bd4-f2 Bb7xh1 38.Ra1xh1 Re8-e5 39.a4xb5 a6xb5 40.Rh1-a1 Re5-d5+ 41.Kd2-e2 Rd5-e5+ 42.Ke2-f3 Re5-e8 43.Bc2-e4 Nd7-e5+ 44.Kf3-f4 0.93/16 ] 27.Ng3-f5 [Houdini annotates: 27.Ng3-f5 Qh4-h3+ 28.Kf1-e1 Rf8-e8 29.a3-a4 Rg6xg4 30.Qd2-e3 Qh3-h1+ 31.Ke1-d2 Qh1-h2 32.Rd1-h1 e5xd4 33.Qe3xd4 Qh2-f4+ 34.Bf2-e3 Qf4xf5 35.e4xf5 Rg4xd4+ 36.Be3xd4 c6-c5 37.Bd4-f2 Bb7xh1 38.Ra1xh1 c5-c4 39.Rh1-d1 b5-b4 40.Kd2-c1 Nd7-e5 41.Rd1-d6 a6-a5 42.Bc2-e4 h6-h5 43.Kc1-d2 0.66/14 ] 27...Qh4xg4

141 29.a3-a4 Rg6xg4 30.Qd2-e3 Qh3-h1+ 29.a3-a4 Rg6xg4 30.Qd2-e3 Qh3-h1+ 31.Ke1-d2 Qh1-h2 32.Rd1-h1 e5xd4 33.Qe3xd4 Qh2-f4+ 34.Bf2-e3 Qf4-c7 35.Qd4-d6 Qc7-d8 36.Rh1-g1 Nd7-e5 37.Qd6xd8 Re8xd8+ 38.Kd2-c3 b5xa4 39.Ra1xa4 h6-h5 1.00/14 ] 28.Qd2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 28.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h8 29.Ne7xg6+ f7xg6 30.Kf1-e1 e5xd4 31.Qd2xd4 c6-c5 32.Qd4-c3 Rf8-e8 33.Qc3-g3 Qg4-f5 34.Ke1-f1 Bb7xe4 35.Bc2xe4 Re8xe4 36.Rd1-d6 [ 27...Qh4-h3+ 28.Kf1-e1 Rg6xg4 29.Qd2-e3± ;Houdini annotates: 27...Qh4-h3+ 28.Kf1-e1 Rf8-e8

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nd7-e5 37.Ra1-d1 Re4-g4 38.Qg3-c3 Nd7-e5 37.Ra1-d1 Re4-g4 38.Qg3-c3 Rg4-c4 39.Qc3-e3 Rc4-c2 40.Rd6xa6 1.04/13 ] 28...Rf8-e8 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Qg4-f4 29.Kf1-e2 e5xd4 30.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h7 31.Ne7xg6 f7xg6 32.Qc3-g3 c6-c5 33.Qg3xf4 Rf8xf4 34.Bf2-g3 Rf4-g4 35.Ke2-f3 Nd7-f6 36.b2-b4 h6-h5 37.Bg3-f4 g6-g5 38.Bf4-e5 Bb7xe4+ 39.Bc2xe4+ Nf6xe4 40.b4xc5 Ne4xc5 41.Rd1xd4 1.19/14 ] 29.Qc3-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Qc3-g3 Qg4xg3 30.Bf2xg3 e5xd4 31.Rd1xd4 Nd7-f6 32.Bg3-d6 Rg6-g5 33.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h8 34.b2-b4 a6-a5 35.Ra1-c1 a5xb4 36.a3xb4 Nf6-g4 37.Bc2-b3 Ng4-e5 38.Kf1-f2 Kh8-h7 39.Rc1-c5 f7-f6 40.Bd6xe5 Rg5xe5 41.Rc5xe5 f6xe5 42.Rd4-d7 Bb7-c8 43.Ne7xc8 Re8xc8 1.14/15 ] 29...Qg4-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 29...Qg4xg3 30.Bf2xg3 e5xd4 31.Rd1xd4 Nd7-f6 32.Bg3-d6 Rg6-g5 33.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h8 34.b2-b4 Bb7-c8 35.Ra1-c1 Rg5-h5 36.Kf1-f2 Bc8-d7 37.Bc2-b3 Nf6-g4+ 38.Kf2-g3 Ng4-e5 39.Bd6xe5 Rh5-h3+ 40.Kg3-g2 Re8xe7 1.21/14 ] 30.Qg3-h4 [Houdini annotates: 30.Qg3-h4 Qh5xh4 31.Bf2xh4 Kg8-h7 32.Ra1-c1 e5xd4 33.Rd1xd4 Nd7-e5 34.Bc2-d1 Bb7-c8 35.Bd1-h5 Rg6-e6 36.Nf5-d6 Re8-f8 37.Kf1-g2 f7-f6 38.Bh4-g3 Bc8-d7 39.Nd6-b7 Re6-e7 40.Nb7-c5 Bd7-e8 41.Bh5-e2 a6-a5

142

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.Rd4-d6 1.32/17 ] 30...Qh5-f3 [ 30...Qh5xh4!? 31.Nf5xh4 Rg6-e6 32.Nh4-f5+- ;Houdini annotates: 30...Qh5xh4 31.Bf2xh4 Kg8-h7 32.Ra1-c1 e5xd4 33.Rd1xd4 Nd7-e5 34.Bc2-d1 Bb7-c8 35.Bd1-h5 Rg6-e6 36.Nf5-d6 Re8-f8 37.Kf1-g2 f7-f6 38.Bh4-g3 Bc8-d7 39.Nd6-b7 Re6-e7 40.Nb7-c5 Bd7-e6 41.Rd4-d6 Be6-c4 42.b2-b3 1.32/15 ] 31.Rd1-d3+[ Houdini annotates: 31.Rd1-d3 Qf3-f4 32.Qh4xf4 e5xf4 33.Rd3-f3 c6-c5 34.d4-d5 Rg6-g4 35.Nf5-d6 Re8-b8 36.Kf1-e2 Bb7-c8 37.Rf3-c3 Nd7-e5 38.Rc3xc5 Bc8-d7 39.Ra1-g1 Rb8-d8 40.Ke2-f1 Rg4xg1+ 41.Kf1xg1 Bd7-h3 42.Rc5-c3 Rd8xd6 43.Rc3xh3 g7-g5 44.Kg1-g2 Kg8-g7 1.61/16 ] 31...Qf3-g2+ [Houdini annotates: 31...Qf3-f4 32.Qh4xf4 e5xf4 33.Rd3-f3 c6-c5 34.d4-d5 Rg6-f6 35.Ra1-e1 Kg8-h8 36.Bf2-h4 g7-g5 37.Bh4-f2 c5-c4 38.Rf3-h3 Nd7-e5 39.Nf5xh6

Kh8-g7 40.Nh6-f5+ Rf6xf5 41.e4xf5 Bb7xd5 42.f5-f6+ Kg7xf6 43.Rh3-h6+ Kf6-g7 44.Rh6xa6 1.82/15 ] 32.Kf1-e2 [Houdini annotates: 32.Kf1-e2 e5xd4 33.Rd3xd4 Rg6-g4 34.Nf5-e3 Rg4xh4 35.Ne3xg2 Rh4-h2 36.Rd4xd7 Bb7-c8 37.Rd7-c7 Rh2xg2 38.Ra1-g1 Rg2-h2 39.Ke2-f3 Rh2-h3+ 40.Rg1-g3 Rh3-h2 41.Rc7xc6 h6-h5 42.Rg3-g1 h5-h4 43.Bf2-d4 g7-g6 44.Rc6-c7 Re8-d8 45.Bd4-f6 Rd8-e8 46.b2-b4 1.97/16 ] 32...e5xd4 [ ¹32...Rg6-g4 33.Rd3-g3 Qg2xg3 34.Qh4xg3 Rg4xg3 35.Bf2xg3 e5xd4+- ;Houdini annotates: 32...Rg6-g4 33.Rd3-g3 Rg4xg3

143 33.Rd3-g3?? releasing the pressure on the opponent [ ¹33.Rd3xd4 33.Rd3-g3?? releasing the pressure on the opponent [ ¹33.Rd3xd4 White would have gained the upper hand Nd7-e5 34.Rd4-d8 Qg2-f3+ 35.Ke2-e1+- ;Houdini annotates: 33.Rd3xd4 Rg6-g4 34.Nf5-e3 Rg4xh4 35.Ne3xg2 Rh4-h2 36.Rd4xd7 Bb7-c8 37.Rd7-c7 Rh2xg2 38.Ra1-g1 Rg2-h2 39.Ke2-f3 g7-g5 40.Kf3-g3 Rh2-h4 41.Rc7xc6 Bc8-b7 42.Rc6-f6 a6-a5 43.Rg1-e1 Bb7xe4 44.Rf6-f5 a5-a4 45.Rf5xb5 f7-f5 46.Bc2xe4 Rh4-g4+ 47.Kg3-f3 Rg4-f4+ 48.Kf3-g2 Rf4xe4 49.Re1xe4 f5xe4 1.83/14 ] 33...Rg6xg3µ [Houdini annotates: 33...Rg6xg3 34.Nf5xg3 Nd7-e5 35.Qh4-h1 Qg2xh1 36.Ra1xh1 c6-c5 37.b2-b4 f7-f5 38.b4xc5 d4-d3+ 39.Bc2xd3 Ne5xd3 40.Ke2xd3 f5-f4 41.Rh1-e1 Re8-d8+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+k+0 9+l+-+-zp-0 126 9+l+-+-zp-0 126 9p+-+-+-zp0 9+pzP-+-+-0 9-+-+Pzp-+0 9zP-+K+-sN-0 9-+-+-vL-+0 34.Qh4xg3 Qg2xg3 35.Bf2xg3 Bb7-a8 36.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 37.Bg3xe5 Re8xe5 38.Ra1-d1 Re5-e8 39.Rd1-d7 Re8-f8 40.Rd7-a7 c6-c5 41.Ra7xa6 Rf8-b8 42.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-f8 43.Ne7-d5 Rb8-e8 44.Ke2-f3 h6-h5 1.95/14 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9+-+-tR-+0[ 9+-+-tR-+0[ xiiiiiiii y

42.Kd3-c3 f4xg3 43.Bf2xg3 h6-h5 44.Bg3-d6 Rd8-e8 45.Kc3-d4 g7-g5 46.Bd6-e5 Re8-d8+ 47.Kd4-e3 Kg8-f7 48.Re1-f1+ Kf7-e6 49.Rf1-f5 Rd8-c8 50.Rf5xg5 Rc8xc5 -0.47/16 ] 34.Qh4xg3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Nf5xg3 Nd7-e5 35.Qh4-h1 Qg2xh1 36.Ra1xh1 c6-c5 37.b2-b4 f7-f5 38.b4xc5 d4-d3+ 39.Bc2xd3 Ne5xd3 40.Ke2xd3 f5-f4 41.Rh1-h4 f4xg3

144

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42.Bf2xg3 Re8-e6 43.Kd3-d4 g7-g5 44.Rh4-g4 Kg8-f7 45.Bg3-e5 Re6-e8 46.Be5-d6 Kf7-e6 47.Rg4-g1 Ke6-d7 -0.54/14 ] 34...Re8xe4+ [Houdini annotates : 34...Re8xe4+ 35.Ke2-d2 Re4-g4 36.Qg3xg2 Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 h6-h5 44.Bc2-d1 h5-h4 45.Bd1-f3 Bd5xf3 46.Nd4xf3 g6-g5 47.Nf3-e1 Rg2-g4 48.Ne1-d3 Kg8-g7 49.Rf1-b1 Rg4-e4 50.Nd3xb4 h4-h3 51.Nb4-c6 g5-g4 52.Bf2-g3 Re4-e6 53.Nc6-d4 Re6-e8 54.Bg3-h2 Kg7-g6 -0.64/18 ] 35.Ke2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 35.Ke2-d2 Re4-g4 36.Qg3xg2 Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 Nd7-e5 44.Bc2-d1 f7-f5 45.Bd1-e2 f5-f4 46.Nd4-c2 f4-f3 47.Be2-d3 Ne5-c4+ 48.Kd2-e1 b4-b3 49.Nc2-b4 Nc4-e5 50.Ke1-d2 Ne5xd3 51.Kd2xd3 Bd5-e6 52.Bf2-e3 b3-b2 -0.79/15 ] 35...Re4-g4 [Houdini annotates : 35...Re4-g4 36.Qg3xg2 Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 Nd7-e5 44.Bc2-d1 f7-f5 45.Bd1-e2 f5-f4 46.Nd4-c2 Ne5-c4+ 47.Kd2-d3 f4-f3 48.Be2-d1 Nc4-e5+ 49.Kd3-d4 Bd5-c4 50.Rf1-e1 Rg2xf2 51.Re1xe5 -0.75/18 ] 36.Qg3xg2 [Houdini annotates: 36.Qg3xg2 Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 Nd7-e5 44.Bc2-d1 f7-f5 45.Bd1-e2 f5-f4

145 46.Nd4-c2 Ne5-c4+ 47.Kd2-d3 f4-f3 48.Be2-d1 Nc4-e5+ 49.Kd3-d4 Bd5-c4 50.Rf1-e1 Rg2xf2 51.Re1xe5 -0.70/14 ] 36...Rg4xg2 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 36...Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 36...Rg4xg2 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 Nd7-e5 44.Bc2-d1 f7-f5 45.Bd1-e2 f5-f4 46.Nd4-c2 Ne5-c4+ 47.Kd2-d3 f4-f3 48.Be2-d1 Nc4-e5+ 49.Kd3-d4 Bd5-c4 50.Rf1-e1 Rg2xf2 51.Re1xe5 -0.49/15 ] 37.Kd2-e2 [ 37.Ra1-f1!? c6-c5 38.b2-b4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 37.Ra1-f1 c6-c5 38.b2-b4 g7-g6 39.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3 40.a3-a4 c5xb4 41.a4xb5 a6xb5 42.Nd6xb5 Bf3-d5 43.Nb5xd4 Nd7-e5 44.Bc2-d1 f7-f5 45.Bd1-e2 f5-f4 46.Nd4-c2 Ne5-c4+ 47.Kd2-d3 f4-f3 48.Be2-d1 Nc4-e5+ 49.Kd3-d4 Bd5-c4 50.Rf1-e1 Rg2xf2 51.Re1xe5 -0.57/16 ] 37...c6-c5-+ [ Houdini annotates: 37...c6-c5 38.Ra1-g1 Rg2xg1 39.Bf2xg1 Nd7-e5 40.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3+ 41.Ke2-d2 h6-h5 42.b2-b4 c5xb4 43.a3xb4 h5-h4 44.Nd6-f5 Bf3-b7 45.Nf5xd4 g7-g5 46.Kd2-e2 Kg8-g7 47.Nd4-f5+ Kg7-f6 48.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3+ 49.Ke2-f1 g5-g4 50.Nd6-e4+ Bf3xe4 51.Bc2xe4 h4-h3 52.Kf1-f2 Kf6-g5 53.Kf2-g3 Ne5-c4 54.Bg1-h2 f7-f5 -0.73/18 ] 38.Ra1-g1 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Ra1-g1 Rg2xg1 39.Bf2xg1 Nd7-e5 40.Nf5-d6 Bb7-d5 41.Bg1-f2 Kg8-f8 42.b2-b4 c5xb4 43.a3xb4 Ne5-c6 44.Nd6-f5 Nc6xb4 45.Bc2-b1 Nb4-c6 46.Nf5xd4 Nc6-e5 47.Nd4-f5 f7-f6 48.Nf5-e3 Bd5-f3+ 49.Ke2-d2 h6-h5 50.Ne3-f5 Kf8-f7 51.Bb1-a2+ Kf7-g6 -1.02/16 ] 38...Nd7-e5 [ 38...Rg2xg1 39.Bf2xg1 Nd7-e5 40.Nf5-d6 Bb7-f3+ 41.Ke2-d2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 38...Rg2xg1 39.Bf2xg1 Nd7-e5 40.Nf5-d6 Bb7-d5 41.Bg1-f2 Kg8-f8

146 42.b2-b4 c5xb4 43.a3xb4 Ne5-c6 44.Nd6-f5 Nc6xb4 45.Bc2-b1 Nb4-c6 46.Nf5xd4 Nc6-e5 47.Nd4-f5 f7-f6 48.Nf5-e3 Bd5-f3+ 49.Ke2-d2 h6-h5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 50.Ne3-f5 Kf8-f7 51.Bb1-a2+ Kf7-g6 -0.90/15 ] 39.Rg1xg2 [Houdini annotates : 39.Rg1xg2 Bb7xg2 40.Nf5-d6 h6-h5 41.b2-b4 Bg2-f3+ 42.Ke2-d2 Ne5-g4 43.Kd2-e1 c5-c4 44.Bf2xd4 h5-h4 45.Bc2-f5 h4-h3 46.Bf5xg4 Bf3xg4 47.Ke1-f2 f7-f6 48.Kf2-g3 Bg4-d7 49.Nd6-e4 Kg8-f7 50.Bd4-c3 Kf7-e7 51.Ne4-f2 Ke7-d6 52.Nf2xh3 Bd7xh3 53.Kg3xh3 -0.66/17 ] 39...Bb7xg2 [Houdini annotates : 39...Bb7xg2 40.Nf5-d6 h6-h5 41.b2-b4 Bg2-f3+ 42.Ke2-d2 Ne5-g4 43.Bf2-g1 c5xb4 44.a3xb4 h5-h4 45.Bc2-f5 h4-h3 46.Bf5-c8 h3-h2 47.Bg1xh2 Ng4xh2 48.Bc8xa6 g7-g5 49.Ba6xb5 g5-g4 50.Nd6-f5 Bf3-e4 51.Nf5xd4 g4-g3 52.Nd4-e2 g3-g2 53.Kd2-e3 Be4-a8 54.Ke3-f2 Kg8-g7 55.Ne2-d4 Kg7-f6 56.Bb5-c6 Ba8xc6 57.Nd4xc6 -0.66/14 ] 40.Ke2-d2 [ 40.Nf5-d6 Ne5-c6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 40.Nf5-d6 h6-h5 41.b2-b4 Bg2-f3+ 42.Ke2-d2 Ne5-g4 43.Kd2-e1 c5-c4 44.Bf2xd4 h5-h4 45.Bc2-f5 h4-h3 46.Bf5xg4 Bf3xg4 47.Ke1-f2 Bg4-e6 48.Kf2-g3 Kg8-h7 49.Nd6xf7 Be6xf7 50.Kg3xh3 g7-g5 51.Kh3-g3 Kh7-g6 52.Kg3-g4 Bf7-e6+ 53.Kg4-f3 -0.69/15 ] 40...h6-h5 [ 40...Ne5-c4+ might be the shorter path 41.Kd2-c1-+ ;Houdini annotates: 40...Ne5-c4+ 41.Kd2-c1 h6-h5 42.Bc2-d3 g7-g6 43.Nf5-h4 Bg2-d5 44.b2-b4 Nc4-e5 45.Bd3-f1 Ne5-g4 46.Bf2-g1 c5xb4 47.a3xb4 Ng4-e3 48.Bf1-d3 Kg8-g7 49.Kc1-d2 Kg7-f6 50.Bd3-e2 g6-g5 51.Nh4-f3 h5-h4 52.Bg1xe3 d4xe3+ 53.Kd2xe3 Bd5-e6

147 54.Ke3-f2 Be6-c4 55.Be2-d1 Kf6-f5 56.Kf2-g2 Kf5-f4 57.Nf3-d4 g5-g4 -1.18/16 ] 41.b2-b4 [ 41.b2-b3 g7-g5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 41.b2-b3 g7-g6 42.Nf5-h4 Bg2-a8 43.Bf2-g3 Ne5-g4 44.Bg3-d6 c5-c4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 45.b3xc4 b5xc4 46.Bd6-c5 d4-d3 45.b3xc4 b5xc4 46.Bd6-c5 d4-d3 47.Bc2-d1 Kg8-g7 48.Bc5-d4+ f7-f6 49.Nh4-f3 Kg7-f7 50.Kd2-c3 Ba8-d5 51.Nf3-d2 Ng4-e5 52.Bd4xe5 f6xe5 53.Nd2xc4 Bd5xc4 54.Kc3xc4 -1.11/15 ] 41...Ne5-c4+ [Houdini annotates : 41...Ne5-c4+ 42.Kd2-c1 Nc4xa3 43.Bc2-b3 c5-c4 44.Kc1b2 c4xb3 45.Kb2xa3 d4-d3 46.Bf2e1 g7-g6 47.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 48.Ka3xb3 g6-g5 49.Kb3-c3 h5-h4 50.Ne3-g4 Kg8-g7 51.Be1-d2 f7-f6 52.Kc3-d4 Be4-f5 53.Ng4-f2 Kg7-f7 54.Nf2xd3 h4-h3 -1.91/17 ] 42.Kd2c1 [ 42.Kd2-e1 Nc4xa3 43.Bc2b3 g7-g6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 42.Kd2-c1 Nc4xa3 43.Bc2-b3 c5-c4 44.Kc1-b2 c4xb3 45.Kb2xa3 d4-d3 46.Bf2-e1 g7-g6 47.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 48.Ka3xb3 g6-g5 49.Kb3-c3 f7-f5 50.Ne3-d1 Kg8-f7 51.Kc3-d4 h5-h4 52.Nd1-f2 Be4-b7 53.Be1-c3 Kf7-g6 54.Nf2xd3 g5-g4 55.Nd3-c5 -1.94/15 ] 42...Nc4xa3 [Houdini annotates: 42...Nc4xa3 43.Bc2-b3 c5-c4 44.Kc1-b2 c4xb3 45.Kb2xa3 d4-d3 46.Bf2-e1 g7-g6 47.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 48.Ka3xb3 g6-g5 49.Kb3-c3 f7-f5 50.Ne3-d1 Kg8-f7 51.Kc3-d4 h5-h4 52.Nd1-f2 Be4-b7 53.Be1-c3 Kf7-g6 54.Nf2xd3 g5-g4 55.Nd3-c5 -1.84/18 ] 43.Bc2-d1 [ 43.Bc2-b3 doesn't change the outcome of the game c5xb4 44.Bf2xd4 Na3-c4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 43.Bc2-b3 c5-c4 44.Kc1b2 c4xb3 45.Kb2xa3 d4-d3 46.Bf2e1 g7-g6 47.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 48.Ka3xb3 g6-g5 49.Kb3-c3 f7-f5

148 50.Ne3-d1 Kg8-f7 51.Kc3-d4 h5-h4 52.Nd1-f2 Be4-b7 53.Be1-c3 Kf7-g6 54.Nf2xd3 g5-g4 55.Nd3-c5 -1.94/17 ] 43...c5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 43...c5xb4 44.Bf2xd4 g7-g6 45.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 46.Bd4-f6 Na3-c4 47.Ne3xc4 b5xc4 48.Bf6-e7 a6-a5 49.Be7-d8 b4-b3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 50.Bd8-f6 Be4-d5 51.Kc1-b2 Kg8-f8 52.Bd1-e2 a5-a4 53.Kb2-a3 Kf8-e8 54.Ka3xa4 Ke8-d7 55.Ka4-b4 Kd7-e6 56.Be2xc4 Bd5xc4 57.Bf6-b2 -2.05/17 ] 44.Bd1xh5 Diagram [ 44.Nf5xd4 does not help much g7-g6-+ ; Houdini annotates: 44.Bf2xd4 g7-g6 45.Nf5-e3 Bg2-e4 46.Bd4-f6 Na3-c4 47.Ne3xc4 b5xc4 48.Bf6-e7 a6-a5 49.Be7-d8 b4-b3 50.Bd8xa5 h5-h4 51.Kc1-b2 h4-h3 52.Ba5-c7 f7-f5 53.Bd1xb3 c4xb3 54.Kb2xb3 g6-g5 55.Bc7-h2 Kg8-g7 56.Kb3-c3 f5-f4 57.Kc3-d2 Kg7-f6 58.Kd2-e2 Kf6-f5 59.Ke2-f2 -1.92/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{

9+-+-+pzp-0 127 9p+-+-+-+0 127 9+p+-+N+L0 9-zp-zp-+-+0 9sn-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-vLl+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 44...g7-g6 [Houdini annotates: 44...g7-g6 45.Nf5-h4 Bg2-e4 46.Bh5-f3 f7-f5 47.Bf2xd4 Kg8-f7 48.Bf3-d1 g6-g5 49.Nh4-f3 Be4xf3 50.Bd1xf3 g5-g4 51.Bf3-b7 a6-a5 52.Bb7-c8 Kf7-g6 53.Bc8-d7 Kg6-g5 54.Bd4-b6 g4-g3 55.Bb6-d8+ Kg5-g4

149 Be4xf3 50.Bd1xf3 g5-g4 51.Bf3-d5+ Kf7-g6 52.Kc1-d1 a6-a5 53.Bd5-c6 f5-f4 54.Bd4-b6 b4-b3 55.Bb6-c5 Be4xf3 50.Bd1xf3 g5-g4 51.Bf3-d5+ Kf7-g6 52.Kc1-d1 a6-a5 53.Bd5-c6 f5-f4 54.Bd4-b6 b4-b3 55.Bb6-c5 b5-b4 56.Kd1-c1 Na3-c4 57.Bc6-d5 Nc4-e5 58.Bc5-d4 Ne5-d3+ 59.Kc1-d2 -2.28/16 ] 45...Kg8-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 45...Kg8-f8 46.Ne7xg6+ f7xg6 47.Bh5xg6 Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-c5+ Ke7-d7 50.Bc5-f2 Na3-c4 51.Bg6-d3 Kd7-d6 52.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 53.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 54.Bd3-e2 Kd5-c5 55.Be1-f2+ Kc5-c6 56.Bf2-h4 Nc4-e3 57.Kc1-b2 a5-a4 58.Bh4-f2 Ne3-d5 59.Bf2-g1 Nd5-c3 -2.80/18 ] 46.Ne7xg6+ [Houdini annotates : 46.Ne7xg6+ f7xg6 47.Bh5xg6 Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Na3-c4 50.Bg6-d3 Ke7-d6 51.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 52.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 51.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 52.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 53.Bd3-e2 Kd5-c5 54.Be1-f2+ Kc5-c6 55.Bf2-h4 Nc4-e3 56.Kc1-b2 a5-a4 57.Bh4-f2 Ne3-f5 58.Be2-g4 a4-a3+ 59.Kb2-b3 -2.89/19 ] 46...f7xg6 [ Houdini annotates: 46...f7xg6 47.Bh5xg6 Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Na3-c4 50.Bg6-d3 Ke7-d6 51.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 52.Bg3-e1 Kd5-d4 53.Bd3-e2 Kd4-c5 54.Be1-h4 a5-a4 55.Bh4-e7+ Nc4-d6 56.Be2xb5 a4-a3 57.Bb5-d3 Bg2-c6 58.Kc1-b1 b4-b3 59.Be7-f8 Bc6-d5 60.Bf8-e7 Bd5-e6 61.Be7-f8 Be6-d5 62.Bf8-e7 -2.81/19 ] 47.Bh5xg6 [Houdini annotates: 56.Bd8xa5 b4-b3 57.Ba5-c3 g3-g2 58.Bc3-d4 Na3-c4 59.Bd4-g1 Nc4-e5 60.Bd7-e6 Ne5-d3+ 61.Kc1-d2 b3-b2 62.Kd2-c2 Kg4-f4 63.Be6-d7 b5-b4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 64.Bd7-c6 -2.36/17 ] 45.Nf5-e7+ [ Houdini annotates: 45.Nf5-h4 Bg2-e4 46.Bh5-f3 f7-f5 47.Bf2xd4 Kg8-f7 48.Bf3-d1 g6-g5 49.Nh4-f3

150 47.Bh5xg6 Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 47.Bh5xg6 Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Na3-c4 50.Bg6-d3 Ke7-d6 51.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 52.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 53.Bd3-e2 Kd5-c5 54.Be1-h4 a5-a4 55.Bh4-e7+ Diagram (Diagram 128) Nc4-d6 56.Be2xb5 a4-a3 57.Bb5-c4 Be4-d5 58.Bc4-d3 Bd5-e6 59.Be7-f8 b4-b3 60.Kc1-b1 Be6-d5 61.Bf8-e7 Bd5-c6 62.Be7-f8 Bc6-d5 63.Bf8-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-vL-+-0 128 9-+-+-+-+0 128 9+pmk-+-+-0 9pzpn+l+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+L+-+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy -2.80/20 ] 47...Kf8-e7 [Houdini annotates : 47...Kf8-e7 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Na3-c4 50.Bg6-d3 Ke7-d6 51.Bd3-e2 Kd6-d5 52.Bf2-h4 Bg2-e4 53.Bh4-e7 Nc4-d6 54.Be7-g5 a5-a4 55.Bg5-d2 Kd5-c5 56.Bd2-e3+ Kc5-c6 57.Be3-d2 b4-b3 58.Kc1-b2 Nd6-f5 59.Bd2-b4 Nf5-e3 60.Bb4-c3 Kc6-c5 61.Bc3-f6 Ne3-f5 62.Bf6-c3 b5-b4 63.Bc3-e5 Nf5-d4 -2.76/18 ] 48.Bf2xd4 [Houdini annotates: 48.Bf2xd4 a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Na3-c4 50.Bg6-d3 Ke7-d6 51.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-d5 52.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 53.Bd3-e2 Kd5-c5 54.Be1-h4 a5-a4 55.Bh4-e7+ Nc4-d6 56.Be2xb5 a4-a3 57.Bb5-c4 Be4-d5 58.Bc4-d3 Bd5-e6 59.Be7-f8 b4-b3 60.Kc1-b1 b3-b2 61.Bf8-e7 Be6-f7 62.Bd3-c2 -2.80/19 ] 48...Ke7-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 48...a6-a5 49.Bd4-f2 Ke7-e6 50.Bg6-e8 Bg2-e4 51.Bf2-c5 Ke6-d5 52.Bc5-f8 Kd5-d4 53.Bf8-g7+ Kd4-d3 54.Be8-d7 a5-a4 55.Kc1-b2 Be4-h7 56.Bd7-e6 Na3-c2

151 Kc6-d6 53.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-e6 54.Bg3-e1 Kc6-d6 53.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-e6 54.Bg3-e1 Bg2-e4 55.Kc1-b2 Be4-d5 56.Kb2-c1 Bd5-f3 57.Be1-f2 Bf3-e4 58.Bf2-c5 Be4-b7 59.Bc5-f8 Bb7-a8 60.Bf8-g7 Be4-b7 59.Bc5-f8 Bb7-a8 60.Bf8-g7 Ba8-e4 61.Bg7-f8 Be4-g2 62.Bf8-h6 Bg2-d5 63.Bh6-g7 Bd5-e4 64.Bg7-f8 -2.48/17 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 129 9+-+-+-+-0 129 9p+-mk-+-+0 9+p+-+-+-0 9-zp-vL-+-+0 9sn-+L+-+-0 9-+-+-+l+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 49...Na3-c4 [Houdini annotates: 49...Na3-c4 50.Bd4-f2 Kd6-d5 57.Bg7-e5 b4-b3 58.Be6-d5 Nc2-e3 -2.54/18 ] 49.Bg6-d3 Diagram [ 49.Bd4-f2 does not win a prize Na3-c4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 49.Bd4-f2 a6-a5 50.Bf2-g3+ Kd6-c5 51.Bg3-f2+ Kc5-c6 52.Bg6-e8+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 51.Bf2-g3 Bg2-e4 52.Bd3-e2 a6-a5 51.Bf2-g3 Bg2-e4 52.Bd3-e2 a6-a5 53.Bg3-e1 Kd5-c5 54.Be1-h4 a5-a4 55.Bh4-e7+ Nc4-d6 56.Be2xb5 a4-a3 57.Bb5-c4 Be4-d5 58.Bc4-d3 b4-b3 59.Be7-f8 b3-b2+ 60.Kc1-b1 Bd5-e6 61.Bf8-e7 Be6-f7 62.Bd3-e4 Bf7-d5 -2.77/19 ] 50.Bd4-g7 [ 50.Bd4f2 does not save the day a6-a5+; Houdini annotates: 50.Bd4-a7 a6-a5 51.Ba7-f2 Kd6-c6 52.Bf2-g3 Nc4-b6 53.Bd3-g6 Nb6-a4 54.Bg3-e1 Na4-c3 55.Kc1-b2 a5-a4 56.Be1xc3 a4-a3+ 57.Kb2-b3 b4xc3 58.Kb3xa3 Kc6-c5 59.Ka3-b3 b5-b4 60.Kb3-c2 Bg2-c6 61.Kc2-b3 -2.72/15 ] 50...a6-a5 [ Houdini annotates: 50...a6-a5 51.Bd3-g6 Kd6-d5 52.Bg7-h6 Nc4-e5 53.Bg6-h5 Bg2-f3 54.Bh5-e8 Bf3-e2 55.Bh6-f8 b4-b3 56.Kc1-d2 Kd5-d4 57.Bf8-g7 Be2-c4 58.Bg7xe5+ Kd4xe5 59.Kd2-c3 a5-a4 60.Kc3b2

152

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke5-d5 61.Be8-g6 Kd5-d4 62.Bg6-b1 Bc4-d5 -3.50/16 ] 51.Bd3-e2 [ 51.Kc1-c2 does not solve anything Kd6-d5 52.Bg7-f8 Bg2-e4 53.Bd3xe4+ Kd5xe4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 51.Bg7-f8+ Kd6-d5 52.Bd3-g6 Bg2-e4 53.Bg6-f7+ Kd5-d4 54.Bf7-e6 Nc4-e5 55.Kc1-b2 Ne5-d3+ 56.Kb2-a1 a5-a4 57.Be6-h3 Nd3-f4 58.Bh3-f1 Be4-d3 59.Bf8-h6 Nf4-g6 60.Bh6-g7+ Kd4-c4 61.Bf1xd3+ Kc4xd3 62.Ka1-b2 a4-a3+ 63.Kb2-b3 -3.52/17 ] 51...Bg2-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 51...Bg2-e4 52.Bg7-f8+ Kd6-d5 53.Be2-h5 Nc4-d6 54.Bh5-e2 a5-a4 55.Kc1-b2 Kd5-c6 56.Bf8-e7 Be4-d5 57.Be2-d3 a4-a3+ 58.Kb2-b1 b4-b3 59.Bd3-h7 Bd5-e6 60.Bh7-d3 Kc6-c5 61.Bd3-e4 Be6-d5 62.Be4-g6 Kc5-c6 63.Bg6-h7 Bd5-e6 -3.80/15 ] 52.Bg7-f6 [ 52.Be2-d1 doesn't get the cat off the tree Kd6-c5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 52.Bg7-f8+ Kd6-d5 53.Be2-h5 Nc4-d6 54.Bh5-e2 a5-a4 55.Kc1-b2 Kd5-c6 56.Bf8-e7 Be4-d5 57.Be2-d3 a4-a3+ 58.Kb2-b1 b4-b3 59.Bd3-h7 Bd5-e6 60.Kb1-a1 Kc6-c5 61.Bh7-d3 Be6-c4 62.Bd3-e4 b5-b4 63.Ka1-b1 b3-b2 64.Be4-c2 Bc4-d5 65.Be7-g5 Kc5-c4 -3.85/16 ] 52...a5-a4 [Houdini annotates: 52...a5-a4 53.Bf6-g7 Kd6d5 54.Be2-h5 a4-a3 55.Bh5-d1 Nc4-a5 56.Bg7-f8 Kd5-c4 57.Bd1-e2+ Kc4-d4 58.Bf8-g7+ Kd4-d5 59.Be2-d1 b4-b3 60.Bg7-f6 Kd5-c4 61.Bf6-h8 b3-b2+ 62.Bh8xb2 a3xb2+ 63.Kc1xb2 Kc4-b4 64.Kb2-c1 Na5-c4 65.Bd1-c2 Be4-d5 66.Bc2-d3 Kb4-c3 67.Bd3xc4 b5xc4 68.Kc1-d1 Bd5-e4 69.Kd1-e2 Kc3-d4 -4.76/17 ] 53.Bf6-g7 [Houdini annotates: 53.Bf6-g7 Kd6-d5 54.Be2-

153 h5 a4-a3 55.Bh5-d1 Nc4-a5 56.Bg7-f8 Kd5-c4 57.Bd1-e2+ Kc4-d4 58.Bf8-g7+ Kd4-d5 59.Be2-d1 b4-b3 60.Bg7-f6 Kd5-c4 61.Bd1-e2+ Be4-d3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 62.Be2-d1 Bd3-f5 63.Bf6-a1 Bf5-e4 62.Be2-d1 Bd3-f5 63.Bf6-a1 Bf5-e4 64.Ba1-h8 Kc4-c5 65.Bh8-c3 b3-b2+ 66.Bc3xb2 a3xb2+ 67.Kc1xb2 Kc5-b4 68.Kb2-c1 Na5-c4 69.Bd1-c2 Be4-d5 70.Bc2-d3 Kb4-c3 71.Bd3xc4 b5xc4 72.Kc1-d1 Bd5-f3+ 73.Kd1-c1 Bf3-d5 74.Kc1-d1 -4.81/18 ] 53...Kd6-d5 [ Houdini annotates: 53...Kd6-d5 54.Be2-h5 a4-a3 55.Bh5-d1 Nc4-e5 56.Bg7-f8 Ne5-c6 57.Bd1-b3+ Kd5-d4 58.Bf8-g7+ Nc6-e5 59.Bb3-d1 Be4-d5 60.Bg7-f8 Ne5-c6 61.Kc1-b1 Kd4-c3 62.Kb1-a1 a3-a2 63.Bd1-h5 Bd5-c4 64.Bf8-c5 Nc6-d4 65.Bh5-d1 Bc4-e6 66.Bc5-e7 Be6-b3 67.Be7xb4+ Kc3xb4 68.Bd1xb3 Nd4xb3+ 69.Ka1xa2 Kb4-c3 70.Ka2-a3 b5-b4+ 71.Ka3-a4 Nb3-c5+ 72.Ka4-b5 -4.77/20 ] 0-1

23

E04

Levon Aronian Alexander Morozevich Amber Tournament (Rapid) (9). 2009 E04: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3 1.Ng1-f3 d7-d5 2.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 3.c2-c4 e7-e6 4.g2-g3 d5xc4 5.Bf1-g2 a7-a6 6.0-0 Nb8-c6 7.e2-e3 Bc8-d7 8.Qd1-e2 b7-b5 9.Rf1-d1 Bf8-b4 10.b2-b3 c4xb3 11.a2xb3 0-0 12.e3-e4 Nc6-e7 13.Nf3-e5 Ne7-c6 14.Bc1-g5 Bb4-e7 15.Ne5xd7 Qd8xd7 16.d4-d5 e6xd5 17.Nb1-c3 Ra8-e8 18.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 Standard Book moves end here 19.Nc3xd5 Opposite coloured bishops appeared. [Houdini annotates:

154 19.Nc3xd5 21.Ra1xa6 23.Kg1-h1 25.Nd5xe3 27.Rd1-d7

Bf6-d4 20.Qe2-c2 f7-f5 f5xe4 22.Qc2xc6 Bd4xf2+ Qd7xc6 24.Ra6xc6 e4-e3 Bf2xe3 26.Rc6xc7 b5-b4 Be3-d4 28.Bg2-d5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg8-h8 29.Kh1-g2 Re8-e2+ 30.Kg2-h3 Bd4-b6 31.Rc7-b7 Rf8-d8 32.Rd7xd8+ Bb6xd8 33.Rb7xb4 0.19/15 ] 19...Bf6-d4 [Not 19...Bf6xa1 20.Nd5-f6+ Ba1xf6 21.Rd1xd7+- ; Houdini annotates: 19...Bf6-d4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtrk+0 9+-zpq+pzpp0 130 9p+n+-+-+0 130 9+p+N+-+-0 9-+-vlP+-+0 9+P+-+-zP-0 9-+-+QzPLzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 20.Qe2-c2 f7-f5 21.Ra1xa6 f5xe4 22.Qc2xc6 Bd4xf2+ 23.Kg1-h1 Qd7xc6 24.Ra6xc6 e4-e3 25.Nd5xe3 Bf2xe3 26.Rc6xc7 b5-b4 27.Rd1-d7 Be3-d4 28.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h8 29.Kh1-g2 Rf8-f2+ 30.Kg2-h3 Bd4-f6 31.Bd5-c4 h7-h5 32.Bc4-d3 Re8-d8 33.Rd7xd8+ Bf6xd8 34.Rc7-c8 Rf2-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Kh8-g8 0.34/13 ] 20.Qe2-c2 [Houdini annotates: 20.Qe2-c2 f7-f5 21.Ra1xa6 f5xe4 22.Qc2xc6 Bd4xf2+ 23.Kg1-h1 Qd7xc6 24.Ra6xc6 e4-e3 25.Nd5xe3 Bf2xe3 26.Rc6xc7 b5-b4 27.Rd1-d7 Be3-d4 28.Bg2-d5+ Diagram

155

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtrk+0{ 9+-tRR+-zpp0 131 9+-tRR+-zpp0 131 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+L+-+-0 9-zp-vl-+-+0 9+P+-+-zP-0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy 20...Bd4xa1 21.Nd5-f6+ Ba1xf6 22.Rd1xd7+- ;Houdini annotates: 20...f7-f5 21.Ra1xa6 f5xe4 22.Qc2xc6 (Diagram 131) Kg8-h8 29.Kh1-g2 Rf8-f2+ 30.Kg2-h3 Bd4-f6 31.Bd5-c4 h7-h5 32.Bc4-d3 Re8-d8 33.Rd7xd8+ Bf6xd8 34.Rc7-c8 Rf2-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Kh8-g8 0.15/14 ] 20...f7-f5 [Inferior is

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bd4xf2+ 23.Kg1-h1 Qd7xc6 Bd4xf2+ 23.Kg1-h1 Qd7xc6 24.Ra6xc6 e4-e3 25.Nd5xe3 Bf2xe3 26.Rc6xc7 b5-b4 27.Rd1-d7 Be3-d4 28.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h8 29.Kh1-g2 Rf8-f2+ 30.Kg2-h3 Bd4-f6 31.Bd5-c4 h7-h5 32.Bc4-d3 Re8-d8 33.Rd7xd8+ Bf6xd8 34.Rc7-c8 Rf2-f8 35.Kh3-g2 Kh8-g8 0.34/14 ] 21.e4-e5 [ Houdini annotates: 21.Ra1xa6 f5xe4 22.Qc2xc6 Bd4xf2+ 23.Kg1-h1 Qd7xc6 24.Ra6xc6 e4-e3 25.Nd5xe3 Bf2xe3 26.Rc6xc7 Be3-b6 27.Rc7-b7 Re8-b8 28.Rb7-d7 Rb8-d8 29.Rd7xd8 Rf8xd8 30.Bg2-d5+ Kg8-h8 31.Kh1-g2 Rd8-f8 32.Bd5-f3 0.21/12 ] 21...f5-f4?? [ 21...Re8xe5 22.Ra1-c1 Re5xd5 23.Bg2xd5+ Qd7xd5 24.Qc2xc6 Qd5xc6 25.Rc1xc6² ; Houdini annotates: 21...Re8xe5 22.Ra1-c1 Re5xd5 23.Bg2xd5+ Qd7xd5 24.Qc2xc6 Qd5xc6 25.Rc1xc6 Bd4-b6 26.Rc6-e6 f5-f4 27.g3-g4 Kg8-f7 28.Re6-e5 g7-g6 29.Rd1-e1 Kf7-g8 30.Re5-e7 0.33/11 ] 22.Nd5-f6+! Discovered attack: d5, g2- c6 [ 22.Ra1xa6?! is no comparison f4xg3 23.Qc2xc6 A) 23...g3xf2+

156

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Kg1-f1 Qd7-f5 25.e5-e6± ( 25.Rd1xd4 fails to the following pretty mating combination Qf5-b1+ 26.Qc6-c1 Qb1xc1+ 27.Kf1-e2 Re8xe5+ 28.Rd4-e4 f2-f1Q+ 29.Bg2xf1 Qc1-c2+ 30.Ke2-e1 Re5xe4+ 31.Nd5-e3 Re4xe3+ 32.Bf1-e2 Re3xe2# ; 25.Nd5xc7 Re8xe5 26.Qc6-f3 Qf5-c2-+ ); B) 23...Qd7-f5 24.Nd5-f6+ g7xf6 25.Qc6-d5+ Rf8-f7 26.Qd5xd4 f6xe5² ; 22.Nd5xf4?! Nc6-b4 23.Qc2-e2 c7-c5= ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 22.g3xf4 Re8-e6 23.Ra1xa6 Re6-g6 24.Qc2xg6 h7xg6 25.Ra6xc6 Rf8xf4 26.Nd5xf4 Bd4xf2+ 27.Kg1xf2 Qd7xd1 28.Nf4xg6 Qd1-d2+ 29.Kf2-g3 Qd2-d1 30.Bg2-f3 Qd1-g1+ 31.Kg3-f4 Qg1xh2+ 32.Kf4-g4 Qh2-g1+ 33.Kg4-f5 Qg1-b1+ 34.Kf5-f4 Qb1xb3 35.Rc6xc7 1.81/11 ] 22...Rf8xf6 Diagram [ 22...g7xf6 23.Bg2xc6 Discovered attack ; Houdini annotates: 22...Rf8xf6 23.e5xf6 Nc6-b4 24.Qc2-d2 c7-c5 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-f8 29.Rc1-d1 Rf8-d8 30.Bg2-f3 Kg8-f7 31.Kg1-g2 Nb4-d5 32.Rd1-d2 Rd8-d7 33.Rd2-e2 0.63/14 ] (Diagram 132) 23.e5xf6 [Houdini annotates: 23.e5xf6 Nc6-b4 24.Qc2-d2 c7-c5 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-f8 29.Rc1-d1 Rf8-d8 30.Bg2-f3 Kg8-f7 31.Kg1-g2 Nb4-d5 32.Rd1-d2 Rd8-d7 33.Rd2-e2 0.43/14 ] 23...Nc6-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 23...Nc6-b4 24.Qc2-d2 c7-c5 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6

157 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-f8 29.Rc1-d1 Rf8-d8 30.Bg2-f3 Kg8-f7 31.Kg1-g2 Nb4-d5

158

Levon Aronian's Best Games

26.h2xg3 g7xf6 ( 26...Bd4xa1 27.Qd2xd7 Re8xe1+ 28.Kg1-h2 Ba1xf6 29.Bg2-h3+- ) 27.Re1xe8+ Qd7xe8² ; 132 Houdini annotates: 25...f4xg3 26.h2xg3 Re8-f8 27.Re1-e7 Qd7-f5 28.Re7xg7+ Kg8-h8 29.Ra1-f1

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9+-zpq+-zpp0 9p+n+-tr-+0 9+p+-zP-+-0 9-+-vl-zp-+0 9+P+-+-zP-0

9-+Q+zPLzP0 9tR-+R+-mK0[ xiiiiiiii y 32.Rd1-d2 Rd8-d7 33.Rd2-e2 0.57/15 ] 24.Qc2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 24.Qc2-d2 c7-c5 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-d8 29.Re1-e2 Nb4-d3 30.Rc1-c2 Nd3-b4 31.Rc2-d2 Kg8-f7 32.Re2-e1 h7-h6 33.Bg2-f3 a6-a5 34.Bf3-h5+ Kf7-f8 35.Rd2-e2 Bd4-e5 36.f2-f4 0.49/14 ] 24...c7-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 24...c7-c5 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-f8 29.Bg2-e4 f6-f5 30.Be4-b1 a6-a5 31.Re1-e7 a5-a4 32.b3xa4 b5xa4 33.Kg1-g2 0.53/14 ] 25.Rd1-e1 [ 25.Qd2xf4 g7xf6 26.Rd1-d2 Re8-e5± ;Houdini annotates: 25.Qd2xf4 Qd7-e6 26.Ra1-c1 Qe6xf6 27.Qf4xf6 g7xf6 28.Rd1-e1 Re8-d8 29.Re1-e2 Nb4-d3 30.Rc1-c2 Nd3-b4 31.Rc2-d2 Kg8-f7 32.Re2-e1 h7-h6 33.Bg2-f3 a6-a5 34.Bf3-h5+ Kf7-f8 35.Rd2-e2 Bd4-e5 36.f2-f4 0.49/13 ] 25...Re8-f8 [ 25...f4xg3

159

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nb4-d3 30.Qd2-g5 Qf5xg5 31.Rg7xg5 Nd3xf2 32.Kg1-h2 Rf8xf6 33.Bg2-d5 Rf6-f8 34.Kh2-g2 a6-a5 35.Bd5-c6 Bd4-e3 0.29/13 ] 26.Re1-e7± [ Houdini annotates: 26.Re1-e7 Qd7-d6 27.f6xg7 Rf8-f7 28.Re7xf7 Kg8xf7 29.Kg1-f1 f4xg3 30.h2xg3 Qd6-f6 31.Ra1-e1 Kf7xg7 32.Qd2-e2 Nb4-d3 33.Qe2-e7+ Qf6xe7 34.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 35.Re7xh7 Bd4xf2 36.Bg2-e4 0.64/14 ] 26...Qd7-f5 [Houdini annotates: 26...Qd7-d6 27.f6xg7 Rf8-f7 28.Re7xf7 Kg8xf7 29.Kg1-f1 f4xg3 30.h2xg3 Qd6-f6 31.Ra1-e1 Kf7xg7 32.Qd2-e2 Nb4-d3 33.Qe2-e7+ Qf6xe7 34.Re1xe7+ Kg7-f6 35.Re7-a7 Nd3xf2 36.Ra7xa6+ Kf6-f5 37.Ra6-a7 c5-c4 38.Ra7-f7+ Kf5-e6 39.Rf7-f4 0.92/13 ] 27.f6xg7 [ Houdini annotates: 27.f6xg7 Rf8-f7 28.Re7xf7 Qf5xf7 29.Ra1-e1 f4xg3 30.h2xg3 Bd4xf2+ 31.Qd2xf2 Qf7xf2+ 32.Kg1xf2 Nb4-d3+ 33.Kf2-e2 Nd3xe1 34.Ke2xe1 Kg8xg7 35.Ke1-d2 Kg7-f6 36.Bg2-b7 a6-a5 37.Bb7-e4 h7-h6 38.Be4-c6 c5-c4 39.b3xc4 b5xc4 40.Bc6-d5 1.05/13 ] 27...f4xg3?? a blunder in a bad position [ ¹27...Rf8-f7 28.Bg2-e4 Qf5-g4 29.Re7xf7 Kg8xf7± ;Houdini annotates: 27...Rf8-f6 28.Bg2-e4 Qf5-h5 29.Ra1-f1 a6-a5 30.Re7-a7 Rf6-f7 31.Ra7xf7 Qh5xf7 32.Rf1-e1 a5-a4 33.b3xa4 b5xa4 34.Kg1-g2 Kg8xg7 35.Qd2xf4 Qf7xf4 36.g3xf4 0.85/11 ] 28.g7xf8Q+ [ 28.g7xf8B?! Qf5xf2+ 29.Qd2xf2 g3xf2+ ( 29...Bd4xf2+??

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-mk-+0{ 9+-+-+-+R0 133 9+-+-+-+R0 133 9p+-+-+-+0 9+pzp-+-+-0 9-sn-+-+-+0 9+P+-+-zp-0 9-+-+-vlLzP0 9tR-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy Bd4xa1 30.Qd2-d6+ Kf8-g7 31.Re2-e7+ Kg7-g8 32.Qd6xg3+ 30.Kg1-h1 Kg8xf8 31.Re7xh7+- ) 30.Kg1-f1 Kg8xf8± ; 28.g7xf8N?! Qf5xf2+ 29.Qd2xf2 g3xf2+ ( ‹29...Bd4xf2+ 30.Kg1-h1 Kg8xf8 31.Re7xh7+- Diagram ) 30.Kg1-f1 Kg8xf8± ;Houdini annotates: 28.g7xf8Q+ Kg8xf8 29.Re7-e2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg8-f8 33.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 34.Re7xh7 Kg8-f8 33.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 34.Re7xh7 Ba1-e5 35.Qg3-g4 Nb4-c6 36.Qg4-c8+ Nc6-d8 37.Qc8xc5+ Be5-d6 38.Rh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 39.Qc5-a7+ Ke7-e6 40.Rh8-e8+ Bd6-e7 41.Re8-g8 Qf6-a1+ 42.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a3 43.Rg8-g6+ Ke6-f7 44.Qa7-e3 Qa3-a1 45.Qe3-f4+ Be7-f6 46.b3-b4 4.21/9 ] 28...Kg8xf8 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Kg8xf8 29.Re7-e2 Bd4xa1 30.Qd2-d6+ Kf8-g7 31.Re2-e7+ Kg7-g8 32.Qd6xg3+ Kg8-f8 33.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 34.Re7xh7 Ba1-e5 35.Qg3-g4 Nb4-c6 36.Qg4-c8+ Nc6-d8 37.Qc8xc5+ Be5-d6 38.Rh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 39.Qc5-a7+ Ke7-e6 40.Rh8-e8+ Bd6-e7 41.Re8-g8 Qf6-a1+ 42.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a3 43.Rg8-g6+ Ke6-f7 44.Qa7-e3 Qa3-a1 45.Qe3-f4+ Be7-f6 46.b3-b4 4.64/9 ] 29.Re7-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 29.Re7-e2 Bd4xa1 30.Qd2-d6+ Kf8-g7 31.Re2-e7+ Kg7-g8 32.Qd6xg3+ Kg8-f8 33.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 34.Re7xh7 Ba1-e5 35.Qg3-g4 Nb4-c6 36.Qg4-c8+ Nc6-d8 37.Qc8xc5+ Be5-d6 38.Rh7-h8+ Kf8-e7

160

Levon Aronian's Best Games 39.Qc5-a7+ Ke7-e6 40.Rh8-e8+ Bd6-e7 41.Re8-g8 Qf6-a1+ 42.Kg1-g2 Qa1-a3 43.Rg8-g6+ Ke6-f7 44.Qa7-e3 Qa3-a1 45.Qe3-f4+ Be7-f6 46.b3-b4 4.04/10 ] 29...g3xf2+ [ Houdini annotates: 29...Qf5-f6 30.Ra1-f1 g3xf2+ 31.Rf1xf2 Kf8-g8 32.Kg1-h1 Bd4xf2 33.Re2xf2 Qf6-e7 34.Bg2-d5+ Nb4xd5 35.Qd2xd5+ Kg8-h8 36.Qd5-a8+ Kh8-g7 37.Rf2-g2+ Kg7-h6 38.Qa8xa6+ Kh6-h5 39.Qa6xb5 5.77/12 ] 30.Kg1-h1 [Houdini annotates: 30.Kg1-h1 Nb4-d5 31.Re2xf2 Bd4xf2 32.Qd2xd5 Qf5xd5 33.Bg2xd5 Kf8-e7 34.Ra1xa6 c5-c4 35.Kh1-g2 Bf2-d4 36.Ra6-e6+ Ke7-d8 37.b3xc4 b5-b4 38.Bd5-e4 Kd8-d7 39.Be4-f5 Kd7-c7 40.Re6-e7+ Kc7-c6 41.Re7xh7 6.18/14 ] 30...Nb4-d3 [ 30...Qf5-f6 31.Ra1-f1 Kf8-g7 32.Rf1xf2 Bd4xf2 33.Qd2-d7+ Kg7-g6+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 30...Nb4-d5 31.Re2xf2 Bd4xf2 32.Qd2xd5 Qf5xd5 33.Bg2xd5 Kf8-g7 34.Kh1-g2 Bf2-e3 35.Ra1xa6 h7-h6 36.Ra6-b6 b5-b4 37.Bd5-e4 Be3-f4 38.Rb6-a6 5.92/12 ] 31.Qd2-h6+ Diagram [Houdini annotates : 31.Qd2-h6+ Kf8-f7 32.Ra1-f1 Nd3-e5 33.Qh6xa6 Kf7-g7 34.Qa6xb5 Qf5-f4 35.Qb5-b7+ Kg7-h6 36.Qb7-e7 Ne5-g6 37.Qe7-d7 Ng6-e5 38.Qd7-h3+ Kh6-g7 39.Qh3-g3+ Qf4xg3 40.h2xg3 Kg7-g6 41.Kh1-h2 Kg6-g5 6.76/14 ] (Diagram 134) 31...Kf8-f7 [Houdini annotates:

161

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-mk-+0{ 9+-+-+-+p0 134 9+-+-+-+p0 134 9p+-+-+-wQ0 9+pzp-+q+-0 9-+-vl-+-+0 9+P+n+-+-0 9-+-+RzpLzP0 9tR-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy 31...Kf8-f7 32.Ra1-f1 Nd3-e5 33.Qh6-h4 Kf7-g7 34.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 35.Qh4xh7+ Kg7-f8 36.Be4-d5 Ne5-f7 37.Re2-a2 Nf7-e5 38.Qh7-a7 a6-a5 39.Qa7xa5 b5-b4 40.Qa5-b5 Kf8-g7 6.15/11 ] 32.Ra1-f1 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 32.Ra1-f1 Nd3-e5 33.Qh6xa6 x64: 32.Ra1-f1 Nd3-e5 33.Qh6xa6 Kf7-g7 34.Qa6xb5 Qf5-f4 35.Qb5b7+ Kg7-h6 36.Qb7-e7 Ne5-g6 37.Qe7-d7 Ng6-e5 38.Qd7-h3+ Kh6-g7 39.Qh3-g3+ Qf4xg3 40.h2xg3 Kg7-g6 41.Kh1-h2 Kg6-g5 6.54/12 ] 32...Nd3-e5 [Houdini annotates: 32...Nd3-e5 33.Qh6xa6 Kf7-g7 34.Qa6xb5 Qf5-f4 35.Qb5-b7+ Kg7-h6 36.Qb7-e7 Ne5-g6 37.Qe7-d7 Ng6-e5 38.Qd7-h3+ Kh6-g7 39.Qh3-g3+ Qf4xg3 40.h2xg3 Kg7-g6 41.Kh1h2 Kg6-g5 6.73/13 ] 33.Qh6-h4 [ ¹33.Qh6xa6 makes it even easier for White b5-b4 34.Bg2-e4+- ;Houdini 2. 0c : 33.Qh6xa6 Kf7-g7 34.Qa6xb5 Qf5-f4 35.Qb5-b7+ Kg7-h6 36.Qb7-e7 Ne5-g6 37.Qe7-e6 Kh6-g5 38.Bg2-e4 Bd4-e5 39.Qe6-h3 Be5-d4 40.Qh3xh7 6.44/12 ] 33...Ne5-g4 [ 33...Kf7-e8 is not much help 34.Bg2-c6+ Ke8-f7 35.Rf1xf2 Bd4xf2 36.Re2xf2 Qf5xf2 37.Qh4xf2+ Kf7-g8 38.Bc6-d5+ Kg8-g7 39.Qf2xc5+; Houdini annotates: 33...Kf7-g7 34.Bg2-e4 Ne5-g6 35.Qh4xh7+ Kg7xh7 36.Be4xf5 Kh7-g7 37.Bf5xg6 Kg7xg6 38.Kh1-g2 Kg6-f6 39.Re2-a2 Kf6-e5 40.Ra2xa6 c5-c4 41.b3xc4 b5xc4 42.Ra6-a4 c4-c3 43.Rf1-c1

162

163

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke5-d5 44.Kg2-f1 Kd5-e5 45.h2-h4 6.53/12 ] 34.h2-h3 [ ¹34.Qh4-e7+ and White has it in the bag Kf7-g8 35.Qe7-e8+ Kg8-g7 36.Re2-e7+ Kg7-h6+- ;Houdini annotates: 34.Qh4-e7+ Kf7-g8 35.Qe7-d8+ Kg8-g7 36.Re2-e7+ Kg7-h6 37.Bg2-e4 Qf5-f6 38.h2-h3 Kh6-h5 39.h3xg4+ Kh5xg4 40.Qd8-d7+ Kg4-f4 41.Re7-f7 Qf6xf7 42.Qd7xf7+ Kf4xe4 43.Qf7xh7+ Ke4-f3 44.Qh7-b7+ Kf3-g3 45.Qb7xa6 b5-b4 46.Qa6-d3+ Kg3-g4 10.60/11 ] 34...Ng4-f6 [Houdini annotates: 34...Ng4-f6 35.Re2xf2 Bd4xf2 36.Rf1xf2 Qf5-e5 37.Qh4xh7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7-a7 a6-a5 39.Qa7-a6+ Ke6-f7 40.Qa6xb5 Kf7-g7 41.Qb5xa5 Nf6-h5 42.Qa5-d2 Nh5-g3+ 43.Kh1-g1 Kg7-g6 44.Qd2-d3+ Kg6-h6 45.Rf2-f7 Kh6-g5 46.Qd3-d5 Qe5xd5 47.Bg2xd5 Ng3-f5 48.Kg1-h2 7.45/15 ] 35.Re2xf2 [Houdini annotates: 35.Re2xf2 Bd4xf2 36.Rf1xf2 Qf5-e5 37.Qh4xh7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7-a7 Qe5-d4 39.Qa7xa6+ Ke6-f7 40.Kh1-g1 b5-b4 41.Bg2-e4 Kf7-e7 42.Qa6-a7+ Ke7-e6 43.Qa7-b6+ Ke6-e7 44.Qb6-c7+ Nf6-d7 45.Be4-c6 Qd4-g7+ 46.Kg1-h1 Qg7-a1+ 47.Kh1-g2 Qa1-g7+ 48.Qc7-g3 7.28/16 ] 35...Bd4xf2 [ Houdini annotates: 35...Bd4xf2 36.Rf1xf2 Qf5-e5 37.Qh4xh7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7-a7 a6-a5 39.Qa7-a6+ Ke6-f7 40.Qa6xb5 Kf7-g7 41.Qb5xa5 Nf6-h5 42.Qa5-d2 Nh5-g3+ 43.Kh1-g1 Kg7-g6 44.Qd2-d3+ Kg6-h6 45.Rf2-f7 Kh6-g5 46.Qd3-d5 Qe5xd5 47.Bg2xd5 Ng3-f5 48.Kg1-h2 7.45/17 ] 36.Rf1xf2 Diagram [ 36.Rf1xf2 Qf5-e5 37.Qh4xh7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7-b7+- ;

42.Qa6-a7+ Ke7-d6 42.Qa6-a7+ Ke7-d6 Kd6-e7 44.Qb6-c7+ Qd4-g7+ 46.Kg1-h1 47.Kh1-g2 Qa1-g7+ 6.24/14 ]

43.Qa7-b6+ 43.Qa7-b6+ Nf6-d7 45.Be4-c6 Qg7-a1+ 48.Qc7-g3

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+k+p0 135 9+-+-+k+p0 135 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+pzp-+q+-0 9-+-+-+-wQ0 9+P+-+-+P0 9-+-+-tRL+0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0 Houdini annotates: 36.Rf1xf2 Qf5-e5 37.Qh4xh7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7-a7 Qe5-d4 39.Qa7xa6+ Ke6-f7 40.Kh1-g1 b5-b4 41.Bg2-e4 Kf7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24 D45 24 D45 Levon Aronian Ernesto Inarkiev FIDE Jermuk Grand Prix (13) 23.08.2009 D45: Semi-Slav: 5 e3 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 3.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 4.e2-e3 a7-a6 5.Ng1-f3 e7-e6 6.b2-b3 Bf8-b4 7.Bc1-d2 0-0 8.Bf1-d3 Bb4-d6 9.e3-e4 d5xe4 10.Nc3xe4 Nf6xe4 11.Bd3xe4 Nb8-d7 12.c4-c5 Bd6-c7 13.Qd1-c2 Nd7-f6 14.Be4-d3 b7-b6 15.Ra1-d1 h7-h6 16.0-0 a6-a5 Standard Book moves end here 17.c5xb6 [Houdini annotates: 17.Bd2-c1 Bc8-b7 18.Bc1-a3 Rf8-e8 19.c5xb6 Bc7xb6 20.Ba3-c5 Bb6xc5 21.d4xc5 Qd8-c7 22.Rf1-e1 Ra8-d8 23.Nf3-e5 Rd8-d5 24.Qc2-c3 Re8-d8 25.h2-h3 0.46/13 ] 17...Bc7xb6 [ Houdini annotates: 17...Bc7xb6

164

Levon Aronian's Best Games 18.Bd2-e3 Bc8-b7 19.Nf3-e5 Nf6-d5 20.Bd3-e2 Qd8-d6 21.Ne5-c4 Qd6-c7 22.Be2-d3 Bb7-a6 23.Nc4-e5 a5-a4 24.Bd3xa6 Ra8xa6 0.26/11 ] 18.Qc2-c1 Diagram [ 18.Nf3-e5 Bc8-b7 19.Bd2-e3 Nf6-d5± ; Houdini annotates: 18.Nf3-e5 Bc8-b7 19.Bd2-e3 Nf6-d5 20.Bd3-h7+ Kg8-h8 21.Bh7-e4 Nd5-b4 22.Qc2-d2 Qd8-h4 23.Be4-f3 Ra8-d8 24.a2-a3 Nb4-d5 0.44/12 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0{ 9+-+-+pzp-0 136 9-vlp+psn-zp0 136 9zp-+-+-+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+P+L+N+-0 9P+-vL-zPPzP0 9+-wQR+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 18...Nf6-d5 A sound move [ 18...Bc8-b7 19.Rf1-e1² ;Houdini 2.0c : 18...Rf8-e8 19.Bd2-f4 Bc8-b7 20.Bf4-e5 Qd8-e7 21.Qc1-e3 Re8-d8 22.h2-h3 a5-a4 23.b3-b4 Bb7-a6 24.Bd3xa6 Ra8xa6 25.Rd1-c1 0.16/13 ] 19.Rf1-e1 [ 19.Qc1xc6 Ra8-a7² ; Houdini annotates: 19.Qc1-a3 Qd8-e7 20.Qa3-a4 Bc8-b7 21.a2-a3 Qe7-c7 22.Nf3-e5 f7-f6 23.Ne5-g6 Rf8-d8 24.Rf1-e1 0.25/11 ] 19...Ra8-a7 [Houdini annotates: 19...Qd8-c7 20.Bd3-b1 Bc8-b7 21.Qc1-c2 Nd5-f6 22.Bd2-e3 Rf8-c8

165 20.Qc1-b2 Bc8-a6 21.Bd3-b1 Qd8-d6 20.Qc1-b2 Bc8-a6 21.Bd3-b1 Qd8-d6 22.Nf3-e5 Rf8-d8 23.Qb2-c2 Nd5-f6 24.Bd2-c3 Kg8-h8 25.Bc3-b2 Ra7-c7 26.Ne5-c4 Ba6xc4 27.b3xc4 0.31/12 ] 20...Ra7-c7 [Houdini annotates: 20...Bc8-b7 21.Qc1-c4 Qd8-d6 22.Bd3-b1 Bb7-a6 23.Qc4xc6 Qd6xc6 24.Ne5xc6 Ra7-c7 25.Nc6-e5 a5-a4 26.Re1-e4 a4xb3 27.a2xb3 0.18/11 ] 21.Qc1-b2 Black has a cramped position [Houdini annotates: 21.Qc1-c4 c6-c5 22.d4xc5 Bb6xc5 23.Qc4-g4 Bc5-b4 24.a2-a3 Bb4xd2 25.Rd1xd2 f7-f5 26.Qg4-g6 Qd8-g5 27.Qg6xg5 h6xg5 28.Bd3-c4 Rf8-d8 27.Qg6xg5 h6xg5 28.Bd3-c4 Rf8-d8 29.Re1-c1 0.39/13 ] 21...Nd5-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Bc8-b7 22.Bd3-b1 Rf8-e8 23.Ne5-c4 Rc7-d7 24.h2-h3 Nd5-b4 25.Nc4xb6 Qd8xb6 26.Bd2-f4 Bb7-a6 27.Bf4-e5 f7-f6 28.Bb1-g6 Re8-d8 0.30/13 ] 22.Bd2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 22.Bd2-f4 Nb4xd3 23.Rd1xd3 Bc8-a6 24.Ne5-c4 Rc7-d7 25.Nc4xb6 Ba6xd3 26.Nb6xd7 Qd8xd7 27.Qb2-c3 Bd3-h7 28.Re1-c1 Qd7-d5 29.Qc3-c5 Rf8-d8 30.Qc5xd5 c6xd5 31.Bf4-e5 f7-f6 23.h2-h3 Bb7-a6 24.Nf3-e5 c6-c5 25.Ne5-c4 Ba6xc4 26.Qc2xc4 c5xd4 27.Qc4xc7 Rc8xc7 28.Be3xd4 Bb6xd4 29.Rd1xd4 0.06/13 ] 20.Nf3-e5 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 32.Be5-c7 0.28/12 ] 22...Nb4xd3 32.Be5-c7 0.28/12 ] 22...Nb4xd3 [ Houdini annotates: 22...Nb4-d5 23.Bd3-b1 Bc8-a6 24.Qb2-c2 f7-f5 25.Ne5-c4 Rc7-e7 26.Qc2-d2 Diagram (Diagram 137) a5-a4 27.Nc4-e5 Re7-e8 28.Bc3-b4 Nd5xb4 29.Qd2xb4 a4xb3 30.a2xb3 0.24/14 ] 23.Rd1xd3 [Houdini annotates : 23.Ne5xd3 Qd8-g5 24.Re1-e5 Qg5-h4 25.Rd1-e1 a5-a4 26.b3xa4 Rc7-b7 27.Re5-e4 Qh4-h5 28.Qb2-e2 Qh5-f5 29.Nd3-e5 0.28/12 ] 23...f7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 23...Bc8-a6 24.Rd3-g3 f7-f6 25.Ne5-c4 Ba6xc4 26.b3xc4 Rc7-e7

166

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wq-trk+0{ 9+-+-tr-zp-0 137 9lvlp+p+-zp0 137 9zp-+n+p+-0 9-+NzP-+-+0 9+PvL-+-+-0 9P+-wQ-zPPzP0 9+L+RtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 27.Rg3-g4 Bb6-c7 28.Qb2-c2 h6-h5 29.Rg4-g6 Qd8-d7 30.Qc2-e2 0.42/12 ] 24.Ne5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 24.Ne5-c4 Rc7-a7 25.Qb2-a3 Rf8-e8 26.Rd3-e3 Bb6xd4 27.Bc3xd4 Qd8xd4 28.Nc4-d6 Re8-d8 29.Nd6xc8 Rd8xc8 30.Re3xe6 c6-c5 31.h2-h3 Rc8-d8 32.Re6-e4 Qd4-d5 33.Qa3-a4 Kg8-h7 34.Re4-e6 Qd5-d4 0.44/15 ] 24...Rc7-f7 [Houdini annotates: 24...Rc7-a7 25.Qb2-a3 Rf8-e8 26.Rd3-e3 Kg8-h7 27.h2-h3 Bb6xd4 28.Bc3xd4 Qd8xd4 29.Nc4-d6 Re8-d8 30.Nd6xc8 Rd8xc8 31.Re3xe6 Qd4-d2 32.Qa3-c5 Ra7-d7 33.Qc5-f5+ Kh7-g8 0.46/14 ] 25.Qb2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 25.Nc4xb6 Qd8xb6 26.Qb2-d2 Rf7-a7 27.Bc3-b2 Qb6-b4 28.Qd2-c1 Rf8-d8 29.Bb2-a3 Qb4-b5 30.Rd3-g3 Kg8-h8 31.Ba3-c5 Ra7-f7 32.Re1-e4 0.86/14 ] 25...Rf7-a7 [Houdini annotates: 25...Rf7-a7 26.Nc4xb6 Qd8xb6

167 Bc8-d7 29.Bc3-d2 Re8-e7 30.Bd2xh6 a5-a4 31.Bh6-d2 a4xb3 32.a2xb3 Bc8-d7 29.Bc3-d2 Re8-e7 30.Bd2xh6 a5-a4 31.Bh6-d2 a4xb3 32.a2xb3 Bd7-e8 33.Qg6-e4 0.53/13 ] 26...Bb6-c7 [Houdini annotates: 26...Bb6-c7 [Houdini annotates: 26...Bb6-c7 27.Bb2-a3 Rf8-e8 28.Ba3-c5 Ra7-b7 29.Qd2-c2 Qd8-d5 30.Rd3-c3 Re8-d8 31.Qc2-g6 Rb7-b5 32.h2-h3 a5-a4 33.Nc4-e3 Qd5-g5 34.Qg6xg5 h6xg5 35.b3xa4 Rb5-b2 0.39/15 ] 27.Bb2-a3 White threatens to win material: Ba3xf8 [Houdini annotates: 27.a2-a4 Qd8-d5 28.Bb2a3 Rf8-e8 29.Ba3-c5 Ra7-a8 30.Qd2-c2 Ra8-b8 31.Rd3-h3 Re8-d8 32.Qc2-g6 Kg8-h8 33.Rh3-f3 0.35/13 ] 27...Rf8-f7 27.Bc3-b2 Qb6-b4 28.Qd2-c1 Rf8-d8 29.Bb2-a3 Qb4-b5 30.Rd3-g3 Kg8-h8 31.Ba3-c5 Ra7-f7 32.Qc1-c2 f6-f5 33.a2-a4 Qb5-a6 34.Rg3-h3 f5-f4 35.Rh3-h5 0.73/13 ] 26.Bc3-b2 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Qd2-e3 Rf8-e8 27.Qe3-e4 Bb6-c7 28.Qe4-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games [Houdini annotates: 27...Rf8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 27...Rf8-e8 28.Ba3-c5 Ra7-b7 29.Qd2-c2 Qd8-d5 30.Rd3-h3 Re8-d8 31.Rh3-h4 Qd5-f5 32.Qc2xf5 e6xf5 33.g2-g3 f5-f4 34.g3xf4 Bc8-f5 35.Kg1-g2 Rb7-b8 36.Rh4-h5 0.39/15 ] 28.Ba3-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 28.h2-h3 Ra7-b7 29.Rd3-c3 a5-a4 30.b3xa4 Qd8-d5 31.Ba3-c5 Rb7-b8 32.a4-a5 Bc8-a6 33.Nc4-b6 Qd5-f5 34.Kg1-h1 Bc7-f4 0.42/13 ] 28...Ra7-a8 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Ra7-b7 29.Qd2-c2 Kg8-h8 30.g2-g3 Qd8-d7 31.Rd3-d2 Rb7-b8 32.Rd2-e2 Qd7-d5 33.Nc4-e3 Qd5-f3 34.Qc2-g6 Kh8-g8 35.Ne3-c4 a5-a4 0.57/14 ] 29.a2-a4 White has a new backward pawn: b3. Black has a cramped position [ Houdini annotates: 29.Qd2-c2 Ra8-b8 30.g2-g3 Rb8-a8 31.Rd3-e3 Qd8-d5 32.Nc4-b6 Bc7xb6 33.Bc5xb6 Ra8-b8 34.Bb6-c5 Kg8-h8 35.f2-f3 e6-e5 36.d4xe5 f6xe5 0.74/13 ] 29...Qd8-d5 [ 29...Ra8-b8 30.Qd2-e3² ;Houdini annotates: 29...Ra8-b8 30.Qd2-c2 Rf7-d7 31.Rd3-c3 Rd7-d5 32.g2-g3 f6-f5 33.Rc3-e3 Qd8-f6 34.h2-h3 Bc8-d7 35.Nc4-e5 Bc7xe5 36.Re3xe5 Rd5xe5 37.Re1xe5 0.40/14 ] 30.Qd2-c3

168

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ 30.Bc5-b6!? Qd5-d8 31.Bb6xc7 Qd8xc7 32.Rd3-g3± ;Houdini annotates: 30.Bc5-b6 Bc7-b8 31.Nc4xa5 Bc8-a6 32.Rd3-c3 Bb8-d6 33.Bb6-c5 Bd6-c7 34.Na5-c4 Rf7-d7 35.Qd2-c2 e6-e5 36.Nc4-b6 Bc7xb6 37.Bc5xb6 Ra8-b8 38.a4-a5 e5xd4 39.Rc3xc6 d4-d3 40.Qc2-c3 0.81/14 ] 30...Qd5-d8 [ 30...Bc8-a6 31.Rd3-e3 e6-e5 32.f2-f3² ;Houdini annotates: 30...Bc8-a6 31.Rd3-e3 e6-e5 32.Qc3-c2 Ra8-d8 33.f2-f4 Ba6xc4 34.b3xc4 Qd5-e6 35.Re1-b1 Bc7-d6 36.Bc5-b6 Rd8-b8 37.c4-c5 0.42/13 ] 31.Qc3-c2 Black has a cramped position [Houdini annotates: 31.h2-h3 Ra8-b8 32.Rd3-e3 Kg8-h8 33.Re3-f3 Kh8-g8 34.h3-h4 Rb8-b7 35.Rf3-h3 Rb7-b8 36.Rh3-e3 Kg8-h8 37.Qc3-d3 Qd8-d5 38.Qd3-g6 Kh8-g8 39.Re1-c1 0.56/14 ] 31...Ra8-b8 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Rf7-d7 32.Rd3-h3 Rd7-d5 33.Rh3xh6 Rd5xc5 34.Qc2-h7+ Kg8-f8 35.Rh6-g6 Rc5-g5 36.Qh7xg7+ Kf8-e8 37.Qg7-g8+ Ke8-e7 38.Qg8-h7+ Ke7-e8 39.Rg6xg5 f6xg5 40.Qh7-g8+ Ke8-e7 41.Qg8xg5+ Ke7-f8 42.Qg5-h6+ Kf8-f7 43.Qh6-h7+ Kf7-f8 44.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Qh8-h7+ Ke7-f8 46.Qh7-h8+ 0.54/13 ] 32.Rd3-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 32.g2-g3 Bc8-a6 33.Rd3-e3 Ba6-c8 34.f2-f4 Qd8-d5 35.Qc2-d2 Kg8-h8 36.Qd2-g2 Kh8-h7 37.Qg2-e2 Kh7-g8 38.Re3-d3 Bc8-d7 39.Rd3-c3 Rb8-d8 0.46/12 ] 32...Qd8-d5 [Houdini annotates: 32...Rf7-d7 33.Qc2-g6 Rd7-d5 34.h2-h4 f6-f5 35.h4-h5 Qd8-d7

169 Bb7-c8 35.Qc2-g6 Bc8-d7 36.Re3-d3 Bb7-c8 35.Qc2-g6 Bc8-d7 36.Re3-d3 Rb8-d8 37.Rd3-c3 Rd8-b8 38.Rc3-e3 e6-e5 39.Re1-d1 e5xd4 40.Bc5xd4 0.46/12 ] 33...Qd5-h5 [Houdini annotates : 33...Qd5-g5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trl+-+k+0 9+-vl-+rzp-0 138 9+-vl-+rzp-0 138 9-+p+pzp-zp0 9zp-vL-+-wq-0 9P+-zP-+-+0 9+PtR-sN-+-0 9-+Q+-zPPzP0 36.Nc4-e3 Rd5xc5 37.Rc3xc5 Bc7-b6 38.Qg6-g3 Bb6xc5 39.Qg3xb8 Bc5xd4 40.Ne3-c4 0.58/13 ] 33.Nc4-e3 White threatens to win material: Ne3xd5 [Houdini annotates: 33.h2-h3 Bc8-b7

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9+-+-tR-mK-0[ 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 34.Qc2-e4 e6-e5 35.h2-h4 Qg5-h5 36.Qe4xc6 e5xd4 37.Qc6-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Bc5xd4 Bc8-b7 39.Qe8-e6 Rb8-d8 40.Qe6-f5+ Qh5xf5 41.Ne3xf5 Rf7-d7 42.h4-h5 Bc7-f4 43.Rc3-c4 Bf4-d2 0.35/13 ] 34.h2-h3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Ne3-f1 Qh5-f5 35.Qc2xf5 e6xf5 36.Re1-e8+ Kg8h7 37.Nf1-e3 f5-f4 38.Ne3-c4 Rf7d7 39.f2-f3 Rd7-d5 40.Re8-e7 Bc7-d8 41.Re7-e1 Bd8-c7 42.Kg1-f2 Bc8-f5 43.Re1-e7 0.29/14 ] 34...Qh5-g5 [ 34...e6-e5!?² is noteworthy ;Houdini annotates: 34...e6-e5 35.Qc2-e4 e5xd4 36.Bc5xd4 Bc8-d7 37.Rc3-c5 f6-f5 38.Qe4-d3 Rf7-e7 39.Rc5-c3 Qh5-f7 40.Bd4-c5 Re7-e4 41.Rc3-c4 Rb8-e8 42.Rc4xe4 f5xe4 0.15/13 ] 35.Bc5-d6± [Houdini annotates: 35.Bc5-d6 Bc7xd6 36.Rc3xc6 Bc8-b7 37.Rc6xd6 Rb8-c8 38.Qc2-e2 Rf7-e7 39.Qe2-g4 Qg5xg4 40.h3xg4 Kg8-f7 41.Ne3-c4 Bb7-d5 42.Nc4-b6 Rc8-c2 43.Nb6xd5 e6xd5 44.Re1xe7+ Kf7xe7 45.Rd6xd5 0.49/14 ] 35...Bc7xd6

170

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 35...Bc7xd6 36.Rc3xc6 Qg5-f4 37.Rc6xc8+ Rb8xc8 38.Qc2xc8+ Kg8-h7 39.Qc8xe6 Rf7-e7 40.g2-g3 Qf4xd4 41.Qe6-c4 Qd4xc4 42.b3xc4 Bd6-c5 43.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g6 44.Kg2-f3 Kg6-f7 45.Re1-d1 Re7-b7 46.Kf3-f4 Rb7-b2 47.Rd1-d7+ Kf7-e6 48.Rd7xg7 Rb2xf2+ 49.Kf4-e4 Bc5xe3 50.Ke4xe3 0.68/15 ] 36.Rc3xc6 [ Houdini annotates: 36.Rc3xc6 Qg5-f4 37.Rc6xc8+ Rb8xc8 38.Qc2xc8+ Kg8-h7 39.Qc8xe6 Rf7-e7 40.g2-g3 Qf4xd4 41.Qe6-c4 Qd4xc4 42.b3xc4 Bd6-c5 43.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g6 44.Kg2-f3 Kg6-f7 45.Re1-d1 Re7-b7 46.Kf3-f4 Rb7-b2 47.Rd1-d7+ Kf7-e6 48.Rd7xg7 Rb2xf2+ 49.Kf4-e4 Bc5xe3 50.Ke4xe3 0.47/12 ] 36...Rf7-f8 [ 36...Qg5-f4 37.Rc6xc8+ Rf7-f8 38.Rc8xb8 Qf4-h2+ 39.Kg1-f1 Rf8xb8 40.Qc2-c6± ;Houdini annotates: 36...Qg5-f4 37.Rc6xc8+ Rb8xc8 38.Qc2xc8+ Kg8-h7 39.Qc8xe6 Rf7-e7 40.g2-g3 Qf4xd4 41.Qe6-c4 Qd4xc4 42.b3xc4 Bd6-c5 43.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g6 44.Kg2-f3 Kg6-f7 45.Re1-d1 Re7-b7 46.Kf3-f4 Rb7-b2 47.Rd1-d7+ Kf7-e6 48.Rd7xg7 Rb2xf2+ 49.Kf4-e4 Bc5xe3 50.Ke4xe3 0.67/13 ] 37.Rc6xd6+- [Houdini annotates: 37.Rc6xd6 Rb8-b4 38.Re1-d1 Rf8-e8 39.Qc2-c7 Rb4-b7 40.Qc7-c6 Rb7-e7 41.Qc6-b5 Bc8-b7 42.Qb5xg5 h6xg5 43.Ne3-c4 Re8-a8 44.Rd1-c1 Kg8-f7 0.70/12 ] 37...Qg5-f4 [ 37...Rb8-b4!?+- ;Houdini annotates: 37...Rb8-b4 38.Re1-d1 Rf8-e8 39.Qc2-c7 Rb4-b7 40.Qc7-c6 Rb7-e7 41.Qc6-b5 Bc8-b7 42.Qb5xg5 h6xg5 43.Ne3-c4 Re8-a8 44.Rd1-c1 Kg8-f7 0.93/13 ] 38.Ne3-c4 [Houdini

171 annotates: 38.Ne3-c4 Qf4-g5 39.Re1e3 Kg8-h8 40.Qc2-d1 Rf8-e8 41.d4-d5 Bc8-b7 42.h3-h4 Qg5xh4 43.d5xe6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qh4-g5 44.Re3-g3 Qg5-f5 45.Qd1-g4 Qh4-g5 44.Re3-g3 Qg5-f5 45.Qd1-g4 Qf5xg4 46.Rg3xg4 h6-h5 1.64/14 ] 38...Rb8-b4 [Houdini annotates: 38...Qf4-g5 39.Re1-e3 Kg8-h8 40.Re3-g3 Qg5-f4 41.Qc2-g6 Rb8-b7 42.Rg3-e3 Rb7-f7 43.Qg6-e4 Qf4xe4 44.Re3xe4 Rf7-c7 45.Nc4xa5 Rc7-c1+ 46.Kg1-h2 Rc1-c2 47.Kh2g3 e6-e5 48.Na5-c6 1.70/13 ] 39.Rd6-c6 [ ¹39.Qc2-c1 Qf4xc1 40.Re1xc1 Rb4xb3 41.Nc4xa5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 39.Qc2-c1 Qf4xc1 40.Re1xc1 Rb4xb3 41.Nc4xa5 Rb3-b2 42.Na5-c4 Rb2-e2 43.Nc4-b6 Bc8-a6 44.Rc1-c7 Rf8-b8 45.a4-a5 Ba6-b5 46.Rc7-a7 Re2-e1+ 47.Kg1-h2 Re1-e2 48.a5-a6 Re2xf2 49.Rd6xe6 1.73/14 ] 39...Bc8-b7? [ 39...Bc8-d7 40.Re1-e4 Qf4-b8 41.Nc4xa5+- ;Houdini annotates: 39...Bc8-d7 40.Rc6-c5 Qf4-b8 41.Nc4xa5 Rb4xd4 42.Na5-c6 Bd7xc6 43.Rc5xc6 e6-e5 44.a4-a5 Qb8-b4 45.Qc2-c3 Qb4xc3 46.Rc6xc3 Rf8-a8 47.Re1-a1 Ra8-a6 48.Rc3-c7 Rd4-b4 49.Ra1-a3 Rb4-d4 1.37/13 ] 40.Rc6xe6 [ ¹40.Nc4xa5 and White can already relax Bb7xc6 41.Na5xc6 Rb4xd4 42.Nc6xd4 Qf4xd4 43.Re1xe6 Qd4-b4+- ;Houdini annotates: 40.Nc4xa5 Bb7xc6 41.Na5xc6 Rb4xd4 42.Nc6xd4 Qf4xd4 43.Re1xe6 Rf8-d8 44.Re6-e1 Qd4-d2 45.Qc2-c4+ Kg8-h8 46.Re1-c1 Rd8-b8 47.Qc4-c3 Qd2-a2 48.a4-a5 Qa2xb3 49.Qc3-c7 Rb8-a8 50.a5-a6 Qb3-a2 51.Rc1-c6 Kh8-g8 2.08/15 ] 40...Qf4xd4?? Black has lost his nerve... understandable when you

172 consider his position. . [ ¹40...Qf4-g5 41.Nc4-e3 Rb4xd4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 40...Qf4-g5 41.Nc4-e3 Rb4xd4 42.Re6-e7 Bb7-c8 43.Kg1-h1 Rd4-h4 44.Ne3-f1 Rh4-d4 45.Qc2-c7 Bc8-a6 46.Re7-e8 Rf8xe8 47.Re1xe8+ Kg8-h7 48.Nf1-e3 Rd4-d2 49.Qc7-b8

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kh7-g6 50.Qb8-a7 Ba6-d3 51.Qa7-d7 0.91/12 ] 41.Re6-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 41.Re6-e7 f6-f5 42.Re1-d1 Bb7-e4 43.Rd1xd4 Be4xc2 44.Rd4-d7 Kg8-h8 45.Re7xg7 f5-f4 46.Nc4xa5 Rf8-a8 47.Rg7-f7 Rb4-e4 48.f2-f3 Re4-e1+ 49.Kg1-f2 Re1-b1 50.Rf7xf4 Bc2xb3 51.Na5xb3 Rb1xb3 52.Rf4-f6 Rb3-b2+ 53.Kf2-f1 Rb2-b1+ 54.Kf1-e2 Rb1-b2+ 55.Ke2-d3 Rb2xg2 56.Rf6xh6+ Kh8-g8 3.31/13 ] 41...f6-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 41...f6-f5 42.Re1-d1 Bb7-e4 43.Rd1xd4 Be4xc2 44.Rd4-d7 Kg8-h8 45.Re7xg7 f5-f4 46.Nc4xa5 Rf8-a8 47.Rg7-f7 Rb4-e4 48.f2-f3 Re4-e1+ 49.Kg1-f2 Re1-b1 50.Rf7xf4 Bc2xb3 51.Na5xb3 Rb1xb3 52.Rf4-f6 Rb3-b2+ 53.Kf2-f1 Rb2-b1+ 54.Kf1-e2 Rb1-b2+ 55.Ke2-d3 Rb2xg2 56.Rf6xh6+ Kh8-g8 3.67/14 ] 42.Re1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 42.Re1-d1 Bb7-e4 43.Rd1xd4 Be4xc2 44.Rd4-d7 Kg8-h8 45.Re7xg7 f5-f4 46.Nc4xa5 Rf8-a8 47.Rg7-f7 Rb4-e4 48.f2-f3 Re4-e1+ 49.Kg1-f2 Re1-b1 50.Rf7xf4 Bc2xb3 51.Na5xb3 Rb1xb3 52.a4-a5 Rb3-a3 53.Rf4-f7 Ra3xa5 3.47/16 ] 42...Qd4-f6 [ 42...Bb7-e4 is no salvation 43.Rd1xd4 Be4xc2 44.Rd4-d7+- ;Houdini annotates: 42...Bb7-e4 43.Rd1xd4 Be4xc2 44.Rd4-d7 Kg8-h8 45.Re7xg7 f5-f4 46.Nc4xa5 Rf8-a8 47.Rg7-f7 Rb4-e4 48.f2-f3 Re4-e1+ 49.Kg1-f2 Re1-b1 50.Rf7xf4 Bc2xb3 51.Na5xb3 Rb1xb3 52.Rf4-g4 h6-h5 53.Rg4-e4 Rb3-b2+ 54.Kf2-f1 3.59/14 ] 43.Rd1-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 43.Rd1-d7 Bb7-e4 44.Re7xg7+ Qf6xg7 45.Rd7xg7+ Kg8xg7 46.Qc2-c3+ Rf8-f6 47.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b6 48.Na5-c4

173 Rb6-c6 49.a4-a5 Kg7-g8 50.f2-f3 Be4-d5 51.Qc3-e5 Bd5xc4 52.b3xc4 Rc6-e6 53.Qe5-c3 Kg8-f7 54.Kg1-f2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf6-g6 55.c4-c5 f5-f4 56.Qc3-c4 Rf6-g6 55.c4-c5 f5-f4 56.Qc3-c4 3.40/12 ] 43...Bb7-d5 [ 43...Qf6-a1+ does not save the day 44.Kg1-h2 Bb7-c8 45.Rd7-c7+- ;Houdini annotates: 43...Bb7-e4 44.Re7xg7+ Qf6xg7 45.Rd7xg7+ Kg8xg7 46.Qc2-c3+ Rf8-f6 47.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b6 48.Na5-c4 Rb6-c6 49.a4-a5 Kg7-g8 50.f2-f3 Be4-d5 51.Qc3-e5 Bd5xc4 52.b3xc4 Rc6-e6 53.Qe5-c3 Kg8-f7 54.Kg1-f2 Rf6-g6 55.c4-c5 f5-f4 56.Qc3-c4 3.69/13 ] 44.Re7xg7+ [Houdini annotates : 44.Re7xg7+ Qf6xg7 45.Rd7xg7+ Kg8xg7 46.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b8 47.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-g8 48.Qc7-d6 Rf8-d8 49.Qd6-g6+ Kg8-f8 50.Qg6xf5+ Kf8-g7 51.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7 52.Qg4-f4+ Kf7-g7 53.Na5-c4 Bd5xc4 54.Qf4xc4 Rb8-c8 55.Qc4-g4+ Kg7-f6 56.Kg1-h2 Rd8-g8 57.Qg4d4+ Kf6-f7 3.66/13 ] 44...Qf6xg7 [ Houdini annotates: 44...Qf6xg7 45.Rd7xg7+ Kg8xg7 46.Nc4xa5 Rb4-e4 47.b3-b4 Rf8-f6 48.b4-b5 Re4-b4 49.f2-f3 f5-f4 50.Qc2-d1 Bd5-f7 51.Na5-c6 Rb4-b2 52.Qd1-d7 Rb2-c2 53.Qd7-d3 Rc2-c1+ 54.Kg1-f2 Rc1-a1 55.a4-a5 Ra1-a2+ 56.Kf2-g1 Ra2-b2 4.02/14 ] 45.Rd7xg7+ [ 45.Rd7xd5?! is clearly weaker f5-f4+; Houdini annotates: 45.Rd7xg7+ Kg8xg7 46.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b8 47.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-g8 48.Qc7-d6 Rf8-d8 49.Qd6-g6+ Kg8-f8 50.Qg6xf5+ Kf8-g7 51.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7 52.Qg4f4+ Kf7-g7 53.Na5-c4 Bd5xc4 54.Qf4xc4 Rb8-c8 55.Qc4-g4+ Kg7-f6 56.Kg1-h2 Diagram

174 (Diagram 139) Rd8-g8 57.Qg4-d4+ Kf6-f7 3.54/12 ] 45...Kg8xg7 [Houdini annotates: 45...Kg8xg7 46.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b8 47.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-g8 48.Qc7-d6 Rf8-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rtr-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 139 9-+-+-mk-zp0 139 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+-+-+Q+0 9+P+-+-+P0 9-+-+-zPPmK0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 49.Qd6-g6+ Kg8-f8 50.Qg6xf5+ Kf8-g7 51.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7 52.Qg4-f4+ Kf7-g7 53.Na5-c4 Bd5xc4 54.Qf4xc4 Rb8-c8 55.Qc4-g4+ Kg7-f6 56.Kg1-h2 Rd8-g8 57.Qg4-d4+ Kf6-f7 3.43/13 ] 46.Nc4xa5 [Houdini annotates: 46.Nc4xa5 Rb4-b8 47.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-g8 48.Qc7-d6 Rf8-d8 49.Qd6-g6+ Kg8-f8 50.Qg6xf5+ Kf8-g7 51.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7 52.Qg4-f4+ Kf7-g7 53.Na5-c4 Bd5xc4 54.Qf4xc4 Rb8-c8 55.Qc4-g4+ Kg7-f6 56.Kg1-h2 Rd8-g8 57.Qg4-d4+ Kf6-f7 3.29/14 ] 46...Rb4-e4 [Houdini annotates: 46...Rb4-b8 47.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-g8 48.Qc7-d6 Rf8-d8 49.Qd6-g6+ Kg8-f8 50.Qg6xf5+ Kf8-g7 51.Qf5-g4+ Kg7-f7 52.Qg4-f4+ Kf7-g7 53.Qf4-g3+ Kg7-f7 54.Qg3-c7+ Kf7-f6 55.Na5-c6 Bd5xc6 56.Qc7xc6+ Kf6-g5 57.Qc6-c5+ Kg5-f6 3.67/14 ] 47.f2-f3 [Houdini annotates : 47.b3-b4 f5-f4 48.b4-b5 f4-f3 49.Qc2-c3+ Kg7-g6 50.b5-b6 f3xg2 51.b6-b7 Kg6-f5 52.Na5-c6 Rf8-e8

175 51.b5-b6 Rc8-b8 52.Qd3-b1 Kg6-f6 51.b5-b6 Rc8-b8 52.Qd3-b1 Kg6-f6 53.b6-b7 Kf6-e6 54.Qb1-e1+ Ke6-d6 55.Qe1-g3+ Kd6-e6 56.Qg3-g6+ Ke6-e7 57.Qg6-g7+ Ke7-d6 Ke6-e7 57.Qg6-g7+ Ke7-d6 58.Qg7xh6+ Kd6-c7 59.Qh6-c1+ Kc7-b6 3.23/13 ] 48.Kg1-f2 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Kg1-f2 Rf8-e8 49.Qc2-c3+ Kg7-f7 50.Qc3xe1 Re8xe1 51.Kf2xe1 Kf7-e6 52.Na5-c4 f5-f4 53.a4-a5 Bd5-b7 54.Ke1-d2 Ke6-d5 55.Kd2-d3 Bb7-a6 56.Kd3-c3 Ba6xc4 57.b3xc4+ Kd5-c5 58.a5-a6 3.85/14 ] 48...Re1-e7 [ 48...Re1-e8 doesn't get the bull off the ice 49.Qc2-c3+ Rf8-f6 50.Na5-c4 Bd5xc4 51.Qc3xc4+- ;Houdini annotates: 53.f2-f3 Re4-e1+ 54.Kg1xg2 Re1-e2+ 55.Kg2-g3 Re8-g8+ 56.Kg3-h4 Bd5xc6 57.Qc3xc6 3.10/12 ] 47...Re4-e1+ [Houdini annotates: 47...Re4-e8 48.b3-b4 Kg7-g6 49.b4-b5 Re8-c8 50.Qc2-d3 Rf8-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 48...Re1-e8 49.b3-b4 Re8-c8 48...Re1-e8 49.b3-b4 Re8-c8 50.Qc2-d3 Rf8-d8 51.Qd3xf5 Bd5-f7 52.b4-b5 Rd8-d2+ 53.Kf2-e3 Rc8-c2 54.b5-b6 Rd2-e2+ 55.Ke3-f4 Rc2-a2 56.Qf5-b5 Re2-b2 57.Qb5-e5+ Kg7-g8 58.b6-b7 Ra2xa4+ 59.Kf4-f5 3.68/13 ] 49.Na5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 49.b3-b4 Rf8-f6 50.b4-b5 Re7-d7 51.Qc2-c5 f5-f4 52.b5-b6 Rf6-f7 53.Qc5-c8 Rf7-e7 54.Qc8c3+ Kg7-g6 55.Na5-c6 Re7-e3 56.Qc3-c2+ Kg6-f6 57.a4-a5 4.02/12 ] 49...f5-f4 [ 49...Rf8-f6 cannot change destiny 50.Qc2-c3+- ;Houdini annotates: 49...Rf8-f6 50.Nc4-e3 Bd5-e6 51.a4-a5 Re7-b7 52.Ne3-c4 Rb7-c7 53.h3-h4 Be6xc4 54.b3xc4 Kg7-g6 55.Qc2-d3 Rc7-a7 56.Qd3-d8 Rf6-e6 57.c4-c5 Ra7-b7 58.Qd8-d4 Rb7-b3 3.30/13 ] 50.Nc4-e5! Decoy: e5 [ Houdini annotates: 50.Nc4-e5 Rf8-f6 51.Qc2-c3 Kg7-g8 52.Qc3-d4 Rf6-f5 53.Qd4xd5+ Kg8-g7 54.a4-a5 Rf5xe5 55.Qd5-d4 Kg7-h7 56.Qd4-d3+ Kh7-g7 57.a5-a6 Re5-a5 58.Qd3-c3+ Re7-e5 59.Qc3-c7+ Kg7-g6 60.Qc7-d6+ Kg6-g7 61.a6-a7 Ra5-a2+ 62.Kf2-g1 Re5-e1+ 63.Kg1-h2 Re1-e8 64.Qd6-d7+

176

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg7-f8 4.50/14 ] 50...Re7-e6 [ 50...Re7xe5 51.Qc2-c7+ Decoy Double attack ;Houdini annotates: 50...Rf8-f6 51.Qc2-c3 Kg7-g8 52.Qc3-d4 Rf6-f5 53.Qd4xd5+ Kg8-g7 54.a4-a5 Re7xe5 55.Qd5-d4 Kg7-g6 56.a5-a6 Re5-d5 57.Qd4-c3 Rd5-c5 58.Qc3-d3 Rc5-d5 3.83/12 ] 51.b3-b4 Diagram [ 51.Qc2-c7+ might be the shorter path Kg7-h8 52.b3-b4 Rf8-e8+- ;Houdini annotates: 51.b3-b4 Rf8-e8 52.Ne5-d3 Re6-c6 53.Qc2-b2+ Kg7-g8 54.a4-a5 Re8-c8 55.Nd3-c5 Bd5-c4 56.Qb2-e5 Bc4-b5 57.Qe5xf4 Rc8-e8 58.g2-g4 Kg8-g7 59.Qf4-d4+ Kg7-g6 60.f3-f4 Re8-e2+ 61.Kf2-g3 4.67/14 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0{ 9+-+-+-mk-0 140 9-+-+r+-zp0 140 9+-+lsN-+-0 9PzP-+-zp-+0 9+-+-+P+P0 9-+Q+-mKP+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 51...h6-h5 [ 51...Kg7-g8 does not win a prize 52.Qc2-c7+- ;Houdini annotates: 51...Kg7-g8 52.Ne5-d3 Re6-c6 53.Nd3-c5 Rf8-f7 54.b4-b5 Rc6-c8 55.b5-b6 Rc8-c6 56.a4-a5 Rf7-g7 57.Kf2-f1 Rg7-b7 58.Qc2-c1 Rc6-c8 59.Kf1-f2 Bd5-f7 60.h3-h4 4.61/13 ]

177 58.a4-a5 Kh6-g6 59.b6-b7 5.30/11 ] 58.a4-a5 Kh6-g6 59.b6-b7 5.30/11 ] 52...Bd5-a2 [ 52...Rf8-f5 does not help much 53.Ne5-d3+- ;Houdini annotates: 52...Rf8-f5 53.Ne5-d3 Re6-c6 54.Qc5-e7+ Bd5-f7 55.Nd3xf4 Rc6-c2+ 56.Kf2-g3 Rc2-c6 57.b4-b5 Rc6-f6 58.Nf4-d3 Rf5-g5+ 59.Kg3-f2 Rg5-d5 60.Qe7-e4 h5-h4 4.12/13 ] 53.Ne5-d3 [Houdini annotates: 53.Ne5-d3 Rf8-e8 54.Nd3xf4 Re6-e5 55.Qc5-c2 Ba2-f7 56.a4-a5 h5-h4 57.a5-a6 Kg7-g8 58.a6-a7 Re8-a8 59.Qc2-c7 Re5-e8 60.b4-b5 Ra8-c8 61.Qc7-b7 Rc8-c2+ 62.Kf2-g1 Re8-e1+ 63.Kg1-h2 5.64/13 ] 53...Re6-f6 [ 53...Rf8-e8 cannot change what is in store for White 54.Qc5-d4+ Kg7-f7 55.Nd3xf4+- ;Houdini annotates: 53...Rf8-e8 54.Nd3xf4 Re6-e5 55.Qc5-c2 Ba2-f7 56.a4-a5 h5-h4 55.Qc5-c2 Ba2-f7 56.a4-a5 h5-h4 57.a5-a6 Kg7-g8 58.a6-a7 Re8-a8 59.Qc2-c7 Re5-e8 60.b4-b5 Ra8-c8 61.Qc7-b7 Rc8-c2+ 62.Kf2-g1 Re8-e1+ 63.Kg1-h2 5.77/12 ] 54.Qc5-g5+ [Houdini annotates: 54.Qc5-g5+ Kg7-f7 55.Qg5xh5+ Kf7-e7 56.Qh5-c5+ Rf6-d6 57.b4-b5 Ba2-e6 58.b5-b6 Rf8-c8 59.Qc5-g5+ Ke7-d7 60.b6-b7 Rc8-b8 61.Nd3-c5+ Kd7-c6 62.Nc5-e4 Rd6-d5 63.Qg5-g6 Kc6-d7 64.Ne4-f6+ Kd7-c7 52.Qc2-c5 [ ¹52.Qc2-c7+ makes it even easier for White Kg7-h6 53.b4-b5 Bd5-a2+- ;Houdini annotates: 52.b4-b5 Kg7-h6 53.Ne5-d3 Re6-e8 54.b5-b6 Re8-c8 55.Qc2-d2 Bd5-b3 56.Nd3-c5 Rc8-d8 57.Qd2-c3 Bb3-g8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 65.Nf6xd5+ Be6xd5 66.Qg6g7+ Kc7-b6 6.22/15 ] 54...Kg7h7 65.Nf6xd5+ Be6xd5 66.Qg6g7+ Kc7-b6 6.22/15 ] 54...Kg7h7 [ Houdini annotates: 54...Kg7-f7 55.Qg5xh5+ Kf7-e7 56.Qh5-c5+ Rf6-d6 57.b4-b5 Ba2-e6 58.b5b6 Rf8-c8 59.Qc5-g5+ Ke7-d7 60.b6-b7 Rc8-b8 61.Nd3-c5+ Kd7-c6 62.Nc5-e4 Rd6-d5 63.Qg5-g6 Kc6-d7 64.Ne4f6+ Kd7-c7 65.Nf6xd5+ Be6xd5 66.Qg6-g7+ Kc7-b6 6.10/14 ] 55.Qg5xh5+ [Houdini annotates: 55.Qg5xh5+ Rf6-h6 56.Qh5-e5 Rh6-e6 57.Qe5-c7+ Kh7-g8 58.b4-b5

178

179

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf8-f7 59.Qc7-d8+ Rf7-f8 60.Qd8-g5+ Kg8-f7 61.a4-a5 Rf8-e8 62.Qg5xf4+ Re6-f6 63.Nd3-e5+ Kf7-e6 64.Qf4-d4 Ba2-d5 65.a5-a6 Re8-c8 66.a6-a7 Rc8-c2+ 67.Kf2-g3 6.46/14 ] 55...Kh7-g7 [Houdini annotates: 55...Rf6-h6 56.Qh5-e5 Rh6-e6 57.Qe5-c7+ Kh7-g8 58.b4-b5 Re6-e8 59.b5-b6 Re8-c8 60.Qc7-d6 Ba2-f7 61.Nd3xf4 Rc8-d8 62.Qd6-c5 Rd8-d2+ 63.Kf2-e3 Rd2-d1 64.Qc5-g5+ Kg8-h7 65.b6-b7 Rf8-e8+ 66.Ke3-f2 Rd1-d2+ 67.Kf2-g3 6.22/13 ] 56.Qh5-e5 [Houdini annotates: 56.Nd3-e5 Rf6-a6 57.Qh5-g5+ Kg7-h7 58.a4-a5 Ba2-b1 59.Qg5-e7+ Kh7-g8 60.h3-h4 Rf8-a8 61.Qe7-f7+ Kg8-h8 62.Qf7xf4 Bb1-a2 63.Qf4-d4 Kh8-g8 64.h4-h5 Ra8-e8 65.f3-f4 Re8-f8 66.Qd4-e4 Ba2-b3 67.g2-g4 6.49/13 ] 56...Kg7-h7 [Houdini annotates: 56...Kg7-g8 57.a4-a5 Rf6-f5 58.Qe5-c7 Rf8-f7 59.Qc7-c8+ Rf7-f8 60.Qc8-c2 Ba2-f7 61.a5-a6 Rf8-d8 62.Qc2-c7 Rf5-d5 63.Nd3xf4 Rd5-d7 64.Qc7-e5 Rd8-e8 65.Qe5-g5+ Kg8-f8 66.Qg5-h6+ Kf8-g8 67.b4-b5 Rd7-d2+ 68.Kf2-g3 5.62/12 ] 57.b4-b5 [ 57.b4-b5 Ba2-b1 58.Qe5-h5+ Kh7-g7 59.Qh5-g5+ Kg7-h8 60.Nd3-e5+- ;Houdini annotates: 57.b4-b5 Diagram (Diagram 141) Rf6-f5 58.Qe5-d4 Rf5-d5 59.Qd4-e4+ Kh7-g7 60.b5-b6 Rf8-b8 61.Nd3xf4 Rd5-d2+ 62.Kf2-e3 Rd2-d8 63.Qe4-e7+ Kg7-g8 64.Nf4-e6 Ba2xe6 65.Qe7xe6+ Kg8-g7 66.a4-a5 Rd8-e8 6.54/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-+0{ 9+-+-+-+k0 141 9+-+-+-+k0 141 9-+-+-tr-+0 9+P+-wQ-+-0 9P+-+-zp-+0 9+-+N+P+P0 9l+-+-mKP+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25 C60 25 C60 Peter Leko Levon Aronian World Blitz Championship (3) 16.11.2009 C60: Ruy Lopez: Unusual Black 3rd moves and 3...g6 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 Ng8-e7 4.0-0 g7-g6 5.c2c3 a7-a6 6.Bb5-a4 Bf8-g7 7.h2-h3 0-0 8.d2-d4 b7-b5 9.Ba4-b3 e5xd4 10.c3xd4 d7-d6 11.Nb1-c3 Nc6-a5 12.Bb3-c2 c7-c5 13.Rf1-e1 h7-h6 14.Ra1-b1 Ne7-c6 last book move. Black threatens to win material: Nc6xd4 last book move 15.d4-d5 White threatens to win material: d5xc6 [ ¹15.d4xc5!? d6xc5 16.Nc3-d5± ; Houdini annotates: 15.d4xc5 d6xc5 16.Nc3-d5 Nc6-b4 17.Nd5xb4 Qd8xd1 18.Bc2xd1 c5xb4 19.Bc1-d2 Rf8-d8 20.Bd2xb4 Na5-c6 21.Bb4-d2 Bc8-e6 22.b2-b3 Nc6-e5 23.Bd2-a5 Rd8-d7 24.Nf3xe5 Bg7xe5 25.Rb1-c1 Kg8-g7 26.Bd1-e2 0.41/14 ] 15...Nc6-b4= [ Houdini annotates: 15...Nc6-b4 16.Bc2-d3 Nb4xd3 17.Qd1xd3 Bc8-d7 18.Nc3-e2 Ra8-c8 Diagram

180

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rwq-trk+0 9+-+l+pvl-0 142 9p+-zp-+pzp0 142 9snpzpP+-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-+Q+N+P0 9PzP-+NzPP+0 9+RvL-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 19.Bc1-d2 Na5-c4 20.Bd2-c3 Bg7xc3 21.Qd3xc3 Qd8-e7 22.b2-b3 Nc4-a3 -0.06/14 ] 16.a2-a3 [Houdini annotates: 16.Bc2-d3 Nb4xd3 17.Qd1xd3 Bc8-d7 18.Nc3-e2 Qd8-e7 19.Bc1-f4 Na5-c4 20.b2-b3 Nc4-a3 21.Rb1-c1 b5-b4 22.Qd3-e3 g6-g5 0.04/13 ] 16...Nb4xc2 [Houdini annotates: 16...Nb4xc2 17.Qd1xc2 Ra8-a7 18.Bc1-f4 Na5-c4 19.Nf3-d2 Nc4-e5 20.Bf4xe5 Bg7xe5 21.Nd2-f3 Be5-g7 22.Qc2-c1 Ra7-e7 23.Qc1-f4 Rf8-e8 24.Rb1-d1 Diagram (Diagram 143) Qd8-b6 -0.14/14 ] 17.Qd1xc2 Black has the pair of bishops [ Houdini annotates: 17.Qd1xc2 Ra8-a7 18.Bc1-f4 Qd8-f6 19.Bf4-h2 Bc8xh3 20.a3-a4 Bh3-d7 21.Rb1-a1 b5-b4 22.e4-e5 d6xe5 23.Nc3-e4 Qf6-e7 24.d5-d6 Qe7-e6 25.Ne4xc5

181

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+lwqr+k+0{ 9+-+-trpvl-0 143 9+-+-trpvl-0 143 9p+-zp-+pzp0 9+pzpP+-+-0 9-+-+PwQ-+0 9zP-sN-+N+P0 9-zP-+-zPP+0 Qe6xd6 26.Bh2xe5 -0.36/12 ] 17...Rf8-e8 [Houdini annotates: 17...Ra8-a7 18.Bc1-f4 Qd8-f6 19.Bf4-h2 Bc8xh3 20.a3-a4 Bh3-d7 21.Rb1-a1 b5-b4 22.e4-e5 d6xe5 23.Nc3-e4 Qf6-e7 24.d5-d6 Qe7-e6 25.Ne4xc5 Qe6xd6 26.Bh2xe5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9+-+RtR-mK0 9+-+RtR-mK0 xiiiiiiii y

-0.13/13 ] 18.b2-b4 [Houdini annotates: 18.Qc2-d3 Bc8-d7 19.Nc3-a2 Qd8-c7 20.Qd3-c2 Qc7-b6 21.Bc1-f4 Na5-c4 22.Na2-c3 b5-b4 23.Nc3-e2 Qb6-b5 -0.12/12 ] 18...Na5-c4 [ Houdini annotates: 18...c5xb4 19.a3xb4 Na5-c4 20.Qc2-d3 Bc8-b7 21.Nc3-e2 Ra8-c8 22.Ne2-d4 Re8-e7 23.Bc1-f4 Re7-c7 24.Nf3-d2 Nc4-e5 25.Qd3-e3 Qd8-h4 26.Rb1-a1 -0.22/13 ] 19.Nf3-d2 [ 19.b4xc5 d6xc5 20.Nf3-d2 Nc4-d6= ;Houdini annotates: 19.a3-a4 Qd8-f6 20.Rb1-b3 c5xb4 21.Nc3-a2 Bc8-d7 22.a4xb5 a6xb5 23.Na2xb4 Qf6-e7 24.Nb4-c6 Bd7xc6 25.d5xc6 Re8-c8 26.Rb3xb5 Rc8xc6 27.Bc1-e3 Rc6-c8 -0.06/12 ] 19...Nc4-e5 [ 19...Nc4xd2 20.Bc1xd2 c5-c4 21.Bd2-e3³ ;Houdini annotates: 19...Nc4xd2 20.Bc1xd2 c5-c4 21.Rb1-d1 Qd8-h4 22.Bd2-e3 Bc8-d7 23.Be3-d4 Bg7xd4 24.Rd1xd4 a6-a5 25.b4xa5 Ra8xa5 26.Qc2-b2 Qh4-f6 27.Re1-d1 Qf6-e5 -0.30/12 ] 20.f2-f4 White threatens to win material: f4xe5 [ 20.b4xc5!? is worthy of consideration d6xc5 21.f2-f4² ;Houdini annotates: 20.b4xc5 d6xc5 21.f2-f4 Qd8-h4 22.Re1-f1 Ne5-c4 23.Nd2xc4 b5xc4 24.Bc1-e3 Diagram

182

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0{ 9+-+-+pvl-0 144 9p+-+-+pzp0 144 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-+p+PzP-wq0 9zP-sN-vL-+P0 9-+Q+-+P+0 9+R+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

Bc8xh3 25.Nc3-a4 Ra8-b8 26.Na4-b6 c4-c3 27.Be3xc5 Bh3-g4 28.Nb6-c4 Bg4-d7 29.Nc4-d6 Rb8xb1 30.Rf1xb1 0.19/12 ] 20...Ne5-g4 [ Houdini annotates: 20...c5xb4 21.a3xb4 Qd8-h4 22.Re1-f1 Ne5-c4 23.Nd2-f3 Qh4-e7 24.Rf1-e1 Ra8-b8 25.Rb1-b3 Qe7-a7+ 26.Kg1-h1 Bc8-d7 27.f4-f5 g6xf5 28.e4xf5 Re8xe1+ 29.Nf3xe1 Rb8-e8 30.Ne1-f3 -0.49/11 ] 21.Nd2-f3 [ 21.h3xg4? is worthless because of Bg7-d4+ 22.Kg1-f1 Qd8-h4-+ ; Houdini annotates: 21.Nd2-f3 Qd8-c7 22.h3xg4 c5xb4 23.a3xb4 Qc7xc3 24.Qc2xc3 Bg7xc3 25.Bc1-d2 Bc3xd2 26.Nf3xd2 Bc8xg4 27.Rb1-a1 Re8-c8 28.Ra1-a2 Kg8-g7 29.e4-e5 Bg4-f5 30.Kg1-f2 Rc8-e8 31.e5xd6 Re8-d8 32.Re1-e7 Rd8xd6 -0.24/13 ] 21...c5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 21...Qd8-c7 22.h3xg4 c5xb4 23.a3xb4 Qc7xc3 24.Qc2xc3 Bg7xc3 25.Bc1-d2

183 Rc8-c4 27.e4-e5 Nf6-h5 28.Rb3-c3 Rc8-c4 27.e4-e5 Nf6-h5 28.Rb3-c3 Bd7-f5 29.Nf3-d4 Rc4xc3 30.Qd2xc3 d6xe5 31.Nd4xf5 g6xf5 -0.18/13 ] 22...Qd8-c7 Black threatens to win material: Qc7xc3 [Houdini annotates: 22...Qd8-c7 23.Rb1-b3 Ng4-f6 22...Qd8-c7 Black threatens to win material: Qc7xc3 [Houdini annotates: 22...Qd8-c7 23.Rb1-b3 Ng4-f6 24.Qc2-f2 Bc8-b7 25.Bc1-b2 Ra8-c8 26.Re1-c1 Qc7-d7 27.Nf3-d2 Nf6-h5 28.Rb3-a3 Qd7-e7 29.Ra3-a1 -0.25/13 ] 23.Bc1-d2 [Houdini annotates : 23.Rb1-b3 Ng4-f6 24.Qc2-f2 Bc8-b7 25.Bc1-b2 Ra8-c8 26.Re1-c1 Nf6xe4 27.Nc3xe4 Qc7xc1+ 28.Bb2xc1 Rc8xc1+ 29.Kg1-h2 Re8xe4 30.Qf2-d2 Rc1-c8 Bc3xd2 26.Nf3xd2 Bc8xg4 27.Rb1-a1 Re8-c8 28.e4-e5 d6xe5 29.f4xe5 Kg8-g7 30.d5-d6 Rc8-c2 31.Nd2-e4 Bg4-d7 32.Ne4-f6 -0.25/12 ] 22.a3xb4 [Houdini annotates: 22.Nc3-d1 Ng4-f6 23.Rb1xb4 Bc8-d7 24.Nd1-f2 Ra8-c8 25.Qc2-d2 a6-a5 26.Rb4-b3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 31.Rb3-a3 -0.11/12 ] 23...Qc7-a7+ 31.Rb3-a3 -0.11/12 ] 23...Qc7-a7+ [ Houdini annotates: 23...a6-a5 24.Rb1-a1 a5xb4 25.Ra1xa8 Qc7-c5+ 26.Kg1-h1 b4xc3 27.h3xg4 c3xd2 28.Qc2xd2 Bg7-c3 29.Qd2-c1 Bc3xe1 30.Qc1xe1 Bc8-d7 31.Ra8xe8+ Bd7xe8 32.e4-e5 b5-b4 33.e5xd6 Be8-b5 34.g4-g5 Qc5xd6 35.Nf3-d4 Qd6xd5 36.Qe1xb4 Bb5-c4 37.Nd4f3 h6xg5 38.Nf3xg5 Kg8-g7 -0.20/11 ] 24.Kg1-h1 White has an active position [Houdini annotates: 24.Kg1-h1 Ng4-f2+ 25.Kh1-h2 Nf2xh3 26.Bd2-e3 Qa7-d7 27.Nc3-e2 Qd7-g4 28.Rb1-b3 Bc8-d7 29.Re1-f1 Ra8-c8 30.Qc2-d3 Qg4-h5 31.Ne2-g3 Qh5-g4 32.Ng3-e2 Qg4-h5 -0.25/14 ] 24...Ng4-f2+ [ Houdini annotates: 24...Ng4-f2+ 25.Kh1-h2 Nf2xh3 26.Nc3-d1 Nh3-f2 27.Nd1xf2 Qa7xf2 28.f4-f5 Qf2-b6 29.Bd2-e3 Qb6-d8 30.Rb1-c1 g6xf5 31.e4xf5 Bc8-b7 32.Qc2-d2 Ra8-c8 33.Be3-d4 Rc8xc1 34.Re1xc1 Bg7-f8 35.Bd4-b2 -0.07/15 ] 25.Kh1-h2 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Kh1-h2 Nf2xh3 26.Nc3-d1 Nh3-f2 27.Nd1xf2 Qa7xf2 28.f4-f5 Qf2-b6 29.Bd2-e3 Qb6-d8 30.Rb1-c1 g6xf5 31.e4xf5 Bc8-b7 32.Qc2-d2 Ra8-c8 33.Be3-d4 Rc8xc1 34.Re1xc1 Bg7-f6 35.Bd4xf6

184

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qd8xf6 -0.12/15 ] 25...Nf2xh3 [ Houdini annotates: 25...Nf2xh3 26.Nc3-d1 Nh3-f2 27.Nd1xf2 Qa7xf2 28.f4-f5 Qf2-b6 29.f5xg6 f7xg6 30.Bd2-e3 Qb6-b7 31.Be3-f4 Re8-d8 32.Qc2-d2 g6-g5 33.Bf4-e3 Qb7-d7 34.Rb1-c1 0.09/12 ] 26.Bd2-e3 White threatens to win material: Be3xa7 [Houdini annotates: 26.Nc3-d1 Nh3-f2 27.Nd1xf2 Qa7xf2 28.f4-f5 Qf2-b6 29.f5xg6 f7xg6 30.Bd2-e3 Qb6-b7 31.Be3-f4 Re8-d8 32.Qc2-d2 g6-g5 33.Bf4-e3 Qb7-d7 34.Rb1-c1 -0.11/14 ] 26...Qa7-d7 Black has a cramped position. Black's piece can't move: h3 [Houdini annotates: 26...Qa7-d7 27.Re1-f1 g6g5 28.f4-f5 Nh3-f4 29.Be3-d4 Bg7xd4 30.Nf3xd4 Bc8-b7 31.f5-f6 h6-h5 32.Nd4-f5 h5-h4 33.Nf5-e7+ Kg8-h8 34.Ne7-f5 Qd7-d8 35.Nc3-e2 Nf4xe2 36.Qc2xe2 Qd8xf6 -0.25/12 ] 27.Qc2-d2 [ 27.Nf3-d2!?³ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0{ 9+-+q+pvl-0 145 9p+-zp-+pzp0 145 9+p+P+-+-0 9-zP-+PzP-+0 9+-sN-vL-+n0 9-+QsN-+PmK0 9+R+-tR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy ; Houdini annotates: 27.Nc3-e2 Qd7-g4 28.Kh2-h1 Bc8-f5 29.Nf3-h2

185 29.Kh2-g3 Bg7-f6 30.Re1-f1 Bf6xc3 29.Kh2-g3 Bg7-f6 30.Re1-f1 Bf6xc3 31.Rc1xc3 Re8xe4 32.g2xh3 Bc8xh3 33.Rf1-f2 a6-a5 34.Rc3-c6 Bh3-d7 35.Rf2-h2 Qh5-g4+ 36.Kg3-f2 Bd7xc6 37.d5xc6 a5xb4 38.Rh2xh6 -0.82/12 ] 28.Re1-f1? [ ¹28.Rb1-c1 Bc8-d7 29.Kh2-h1µ ;Houdini annotates: 28.Rb1-c1 Qg4-h5 29.Kh2-g3 Bc8-g4 30.Re1-h1 Bg7xc3 31.Rc1xc3 Re8xe4 32.Rh1xh3 Bg4xh3 33.g2xh3 Ra8-e8 34.Rc3-a3 Qh5-f5 35.Kg3-g2 Re4-e7 -0.40/11 ] 28...Nh3xf4! the punch [ Houdini annotates: 28...Bg7xc3 29.Qd2xc3 Re8xe4 30.Nf3-d2 Nh3xf4 31.Be3xf4 Re4xf4 32.Qc3-c6 Ra8-a7 33.Qc6xd6 Rf4xf1 34.Rb1xf1 Qg4-h4+ 35.Kh2-g1 Qh4-d4+ 36.Rf1-f2 Ra7-d7 37.Qd6-c6 Rd7-d8 38.Qc6-c7 Qd4xd5 39.Nd2-e4 Qd5-d1+ 40.Kg1-h2 Bc8-f5 41.Ne4-f6+ Kg8-g7 -2.64/11 ] 29.Be3xf4 [Houdini annotates: 29.Be3xf4 Bg7xc3 30.Qd2xc3 Qg4xf4+ 31.Kh2-h1 Bc8-g4 32.Nf3-d2 Qf4-g5 33.Rf1-f2 Ra8-c8 34.Qc3-d4 Qg5-e5 35.Qd4-e3 h6-h5 36.Rb1-f1 f7-f5 37.Qe3-g5 Qe5-g7 38.e4xf5 Bg4xf5 39.Nd2-f3 -1.39/13 ] Bg4xf5 39.Nd2-f3 -1.39/13 ] 29...Bg7xc3 [Houdini annotates: 29...Bg7xc3 30.Qd2xc3 Qg4xf4+ 31.Kh2-h1 Bc8-d7 32.Nf3-d2 Ra8-c8 33.Qc3-d4 Qf4-e5 34.Qd4-f2 f7-f5 35.Rb1-a1 Re8-f8 36.Qf2-a7 Rc8-c2 37.Qa7xd7 Rc2xd2 38.e4xf5 Qe5xd5 -1.01/11 ] 30.Qd2-e3? [ 30.Qd2xc3 Qg4xf4+ 31.Kh2-h1 Qf4-g3-+ ( 31...Re8xe4 is much weaker 32.Qc3-c6 Ra8-a7 33.Qc6xc8+ Kg8-g7 34.Rb1-e1² ; 31...Qf4xe4? doesn't solve anything 32.Rb1-e1 Qg4-h4 30.e4xf5 Re8xe3 31.f5xg6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nh3-f2+ 32.Kh1-g1 f7xg6 33.Qc2xg6 Nf2-d3 34.g2-g3 -0.16/11 ] 27...Qd7-g4µ [Houdini annotates: 27...Qd7-g4 28.Rb1-c1 Qg4-h5

186 Qe4xe1 33.Nf3xe1+- );Houdini 2.0c Qe4xe1 33.Nf3xe1+- );Houdini 2.0c : 30.Qd2xc3 Qg4xf4+ 31.Kh2-h1 Bc8-d7 32.Nf3-d2 Ra8-c8 33.Qc3-d4 Qf4-e5 34.Qd4-f2 f7-f5 35.Rb1-a1 Re8-f8 36.Qf2-a7 Rc8-c2 37.Qa7xd7 Rc2xd2 38.e4xf5 Qe5xd5

Levon Aronian's Best Games -1.25/12 ] 30...Bc3-g7 Diagram [ 30...Bc8-f5!? keeps an even firmer grip 31.Bf4-g3 Bc3-g7 32.Nf3-d2 Bf5xe4 33.Nd2xe4 Re8xe4 34.Qe3-f3 Qg4xf3 35.g2xf3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 30...Bc8-f5 31.Nf3-d2 Bc3xd2 32.Qe3xd2 Re8xe4 33.Rb1-e1 Ra8-c8 34.Bf4xd6 Rc8-c2 35.Qd2xc2 Re4xe1 36.Qc2-f2 Re1xf1 37.Qf2xf1 Bf5-e4 38.Qf1-f2 Qg4-h5+ 39.Kh2-g1 Qh5-d1+ 40.Kg1-h2 Be4xd5 41.Bd6-c5 Qd1-h5+ 42.Kh2-g1 Qh5-e5 -3.23/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0 9+-+-+pvl-0 146 9p+-zp-+pzp0 146 9+p+P+-+-0 9-zP-+PvLq+0 9+-+-wQN+-0 9-+-+-+PmK0 9+R+-+R+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 31.Rb1-e1 [ 31.Nf3-d2 Bc8-b7 32.Qe3-f2 f7-f5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 31.Nf3-d2 Bc8-f5 32.Kh2-g1 a6-a5 33.Qe3-d3 g6-g5 34.e4xf5 g5xf4 35.b4xa5 Re8-e2 36.Rf1-f2 Re2xf2 37.Kg1xf2 Ra8xa5 38.Rb1-c1 -1.38/11 ] 31...Bc8-f5! Deflection: e4 [Houdini annotates: 31...Bc8-b7 32.Nf3-d2 f7-f5 33.Bf4xd6 Ra8-d8 34.Bd6-g3 Qg4-h5+ 35.Kh2-g1 Bb7xd5 36.Bg3-f4 f5xe4

187 : 32.Nf3-d2 Bf5xe4 33.Nd2xe4 f7-f5 34.Qe3-f3 Qg4xf3 35.g2xf3 : 32.Nf3-d2 Bf5xe4 33.Nd2xe4 f7-f5 34.Qe3-f3 Qg4xf3 35.g2xf3 f5xe4 36.Re1xe4 Re8xe4 37.f3xe4 Ra8-e8 38.Bf4xd6 Re8xe4 39.Bd6-c5 Re4-e2+ 40.Kh2-g3 Re2-d2 41.d5-d6 Bg7-e5+ 42.Kg3-f3 Be5xd6 43.Kf3-e3 Rd2-d5 44.Bc5xd6 Rd5xd6 -1.80/13 ] 32...Ra8-c8 [ ¹32...d6xe5 keeps an even firmer grip 33.Bf4-g3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 32...d6xe5 33.Bf4-g3 Qg4xb4 34.Nf3-h4 Bf5-g4 35.Qe3-f2 Re8-e7 36.Qf2-b6 e5-e4 37.Qb6-c6 Ra8-c8 38.Qc6xa6 Rc8-c2 39.d5-d6 Re7-e8 40.Qa6-b7 Qb4-c4 41.d6-d7 Re8-d8 -4.06/12 ] 33.Rf1-f2 [ 33.e5-e6 praying for a miracle f7xe6 34.Bf4xd6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 34.Bf4xd6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 33.e5-e6 f7xe6 34.Bf4xd6 Rc8-c3 35.Qe3-f4 Qg4xf4+ 36.Bd6xf4 Rc3-b3 37.d5-d6 Re8-d8 38.Nf3-e5 Rd8xd6 39.Ne5xg6 Rd6-d7 40.Ng6-e5 Bg7xe5 41.Bf4xe5 Rb3xb4 42.Re1-a1 Rb4-a4 43.Ra1xa4 b5xa4 44.Rf1-a1 Rd7-d5 45.Be5-f4 Rd5-d4 46.Kh2-g3 -2.60/12 ] 37.Rf1-f2 g6-g5 38.Bf4-g3 Qh5-g6 39.Re1-f1 Re8-f8 -2.39/12 ] 32.e4-e5?? but even a better move would not have saved the game [ 32.e4xf5 Re8xe3 Deflection Pinning ( 32...Qg4-h5+ Decoy );Houdini 2.0c

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33...Rc8-c4 [Houdini annotates: 33...Rc8-c4 [Houdini annotates: 33...d6xe5 34.Bf4-g3 Qg4xb4 35.Nf3-h4 Rc8-c3 36.Qe3-d2 Bf5-d3 37.Nh4-f3 e5-e4 38.d5-d6 Qb4-c5 39.Qd2-a2 Re8-d8 40.Qa2-a5 -4.62/10 ] 34.Bf4-g3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Bf4-g3 Rc4-e4 35.Qe3-c1 Re4xe1 36.Qc1xe1 d6xe5 37.Rf2e2 e5-e4 38.Kh2-g1 Bf5-d7 39.Nf3h2 Qg4-f5 40.Qe1-d1 Re8-c8 41.Nh2-f1 -3.99/12 ] 34...Rc4-e4 [ 34...d6xe5 might be the shorter path 35.Rf2-a2 e5-e4 36.Qe3-f4 Qg4-h5+ 37.Qf4-h4 Qh5xh4+ 38.Bg3xh4-+ ;Houdini 2.0c : 34...d6xe5 35.Nf3-d2 Rc4xb4 36.Qe3-c5 Rb4-a4 37.Qc5-c6 Re8-c8 38.Qc6-d6 f7-f6 39.Nd2-f3 b5-b4 40.Bg3-h4 Bf5-d3 -4.21/11 ] 35.Qe3-d2 [Houdini annotates: 35.Qe3-a7 Re4xe1 36.Nf3xe1 Qg4-h5+ 37.Kh2-g1 Qh5-d1

188

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Kg1-h2 d6xe5 39.Ne1-c2 Qd1xd5 40.Nc2-e3 Qd5-d7 41.Qa7xa6 Bf5-e4 42.Qa6-a2 Re8-a8 43.Qa2-b2 Qd7-e6 44.Kh2-g1 f7-f5 45.Bg3-h4 f5-f4 -4.25/12 ] 35...Re4xe1 [Houdini annotates: 35...Re4xe1 36.Qd2xe1 d6xe5 37.d5-d6 e5-e4 38.Nf3-g1 e4-e3 39.Rf2-a2 Qg4-h5+ 40.Ng1-h3 Bf5-c8 41.Ra2-c2 e3-e2 42.Rc2-c5 Bc8-f5 43.Rc5-c7 Re8-d8 44.Rc7-c6 Bf5-e6 45.Rc6xa6 Bg7-d4 46.Ra6-c6 Kg8-g7 47.Rc6-c2 Be6-c4 -4.06/15 ] 36.Qd2xe1 [ 36.Nf3xe1 is not the saving move d6xe5 37.Rf2-e2 e5-e4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 36.Qd2xe1 d6xe5 37.d5-d6 e5-e4 38.Nf3-g1 e4-e3 39.Rf2-a2 Qg4-h5+ 40.Ng1-h3 Bf5-c8 41.Ra2-c2 e3-e2 42.Rc2-c5 Bc8-f5 43.Rc5-c7 Bg7-d4 44.Rc7-e7 Re8xe7 45.d6xe7 Bf5-d7 46.Qe1-d2 Bd4-e5 47.Qd2-e3 f7-f6 48.Kh2-g1 -4.02/14 ] 36...d6xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 36...d6xe5 37.d5-d6 e5-e4 38.Qe1-e3 Qg4-h5+ 39.Kh2-g1 Bf5-d7 40.Nf3-d2 Qh5-d5 41.Nd2-b3 Bd7-e6 42.d6-d7 Qd5-d1+ 43.Kg1-h2 Qd1xd7 44.Nb3-c5 Qd7-d5 45.Qe3xe4 Qd5-h5+ 46.Kh2-g1 Qh5-d1+ 47.Kg1-h2 Bg7-d4 48.Qe4-f3 Qd1xf3 49.Rf2xf3 -3.68/13 ] 37.Nf3xe5 [ 37.d5-d6-+ is the last straw ; Houdini annotates: 37.Rf2-a2 e5-e4 38.Ra2xa6 Qg4-h5+ 39.Kh2-g1 Re8-d8 40.Nf3-d2 Rd8xd5 41.Ra6-a5 Bg7-d4+ 42.Bg3-f2 Bd4-c3 43.Bf2-e3 Bf5-d7 44.g2-g3 Rd5-d3 45.Ra5-a8+ Kg8-g7 -3.75/12 ] 37...Qg4-h5+ [ Houdini annotates: 37...Qg4-h5+ 38.Kh2-g1 Bg7xe5 39.Bg3xe5 Bf5-g4 40.Rf2-f1 Re8xe5 41.Qe1-f2 Re5-f5 42.Qf2-g3 Rf5xf1+ 43.Kg1xf1 Qh5-f5+ 44.Kf1-g1 Qf5-b1+ 45.Kg1-h2 Qb1xb4

189 46.Qg3-b8+ Qb4-f8 47.Qb8-b6 Qf8-e7 48.d5-d6 Qe7-h4+ 49.Kh2-g1 Bg4-d7 50.Qb6xa6 Qh4-d4+ 51.Kg1-h2

Levon Aronian's Best Games b5-b4 -7.03/14 ] 38.Kh2g1 b5-b4 -7.03/14 ] 38.Kh2g1 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Kh2-g1 Bg7xe5 39.Bg3xe5 Bf5-g4 40.Rf2f1 Qh5xe5 41.Qe1xe5 Re8xe5 42.Rf1f4 f7-f5 43.Rf4-d4 Kg8-f7 44.Rd4-d3 Re5-e4 45.Rd3-a3 Re4xb4 46.Ra3xa6 Rb4-a4 47.Ra6-b6 b5-b4 48.Rb6b7+ Kf7-f6 49.Rb7-b6+ Kf6-g5 50.d5-d6 f5-f4 -6.85/12 ] 38...Bf5g4 [ ¹38...Bg7xe5!? and Black can already relax 39.Bg3xe5 Bf5g4 40.Qe1-c1 Re8xe5 41.d5-d6-+ ; Houdini annotates: 38...Bg7xe5 39.Bg3-f4 Bf5-d7 40.Bf4xe5 Re8xe5 41.Qe1-f1 Re5xd5 42.Rf2xf7 Bd7f5 43.Rf7-e7 Qh5-g4 44.Re7-e8+ Kg8g7 45.Qf1-a1+ Qg4-d4+ 46.Qa1xd4+ Rd5xd4 47.Re8-a8 Rd4xb4 48.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-f6 49.Ra7xa6+ Kf6-e5 -6.76/13 ] 39.d5-d6 [ 39.Rf2xf7 is no salvation Bg7xe5 ( 39...Re8xe5?! 40.Rf7xg7+ Kg8xg7 41.Bg3xe5+ Kg7-f7 42.Qe1-f2+ Qh5-f5 43.Qf2-a7+ Qf5-d7 44.Qa7xa6= ) 40.Rf7-f2 Bg4d7 ( 40...Be5xg3?? leads to mate in 2 41.Qe1xe8+ Kg8-h7 42.Rf2-f7# ) 41.Bg3xe5 Re8xe5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 39.Rf2xf7 Bg7xe5 40.Rf7-

190 f2 Kg8-g7 41.Bg3xe5+ Qh5xe5 42.Qe1xe5+ Re8xe5 43.Rf2-d2 Re5-e4 44.Rd2-a2 Bg4-c8 45.Ra2-c2 Bc8-f5 46.Rc2-a2 Re4xb4 47.Ra2xa6 Rb4-b2 48.Ra6-a7+ Kg7-f6 -5.92/11 ] 39...Bg7xe5 Diagram [Houdini annotates : 39...Bg7xe5 40.Bg3xe5 Re8xe5 41.Qe1-a1 Re5-d5 42.Qa1xa6 Qh5-e5 43.Qa6-a7 Rd5-d1+ 44.Rf2-f1 Rd1xf1+ 45.Kg1xf1 Qe5-e2+ 46.Kf1-g1 Qe2-e1+ 47.Kg1-h2 Qe1-e5+ 48.Kh2-g1 Qe5xd6 49.Qa7-a8+ Kg8-g7 50.Qa8-a1+ Qd6-f6 51.Qa1-a7 Qf6-e5 52.Qa7-f2 Bg4-e6 53.Qf2-d2 Be6-c4 54.Qd2-f2 Qe5-e4 -6.80/13 ] 0-1

191

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9+-+-+p+-0 147 9p+-zP-+pzp0 9+p+-vl-+q0 9-zP-+-+l+0 9+-+-+-vL-0 9-+-+-tRP+0 9+-+-wQ-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26

E98

Levon Aronian Hikaru Nakamura World Team Championship (81)2.01.2010 E99: King's Indian: Classical Main Line: 9 Ne1 Nd7 10 f3 f5 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.Ng1-f3 g7-g6 3.c2-c4 Bf8-g7 4.Nb1-c3 d7-d6 5.e2-e4 0-0 6.Bf1-e2 e7-e5 7.0-0 Nb8-c6 8.d4-d5 Nc6-e7 9.Nf3-e1 Nf6-d7 10.Ne1-d3 f7-f5 11.Bc1-d2 Nd7-f6 12.f2-f3 f5-f4 13.c4-c5 g6-g5 14.c5xd6 c7xd6 15.Nd3-f2 Ne7-g6 16.Qd1-c2 Rf8-f7 17.Rf1-c1 Nf6-e8 18.a2-a4 h7-h5 19.Nc3-d1 Bg7-f8 20.Ra1-a3 a7-a6 last book move 21.Qc2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 21.b2-b3 Rf7-c7 22.Bd2-c3 Bc8-d7 23.Qc2-d2 Rc7-c8 24.Nd1-b2 b7-b5 25.Nb2-d3 b5xa4 26.Nd3-b2 a4xb3 27.Ra3xb3 Ra8-b8 0.75/12 ] 21...Bc8-d7 [Houdini annotates:

Ra7-a8 0.29/15 ] 22.Qc3-a5 Diagram Ra7-a8 0.29/15 ] 22.Qc3-a5 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qc3-b3 Ra8-b8 23.Qb3-b4 Ne8-f6 24.h2-h3 Rb8-c8 25.Ra3-c3 Rc8xc3 26.Nd1xc3 Bd7-e8 27.a4-a5 Rf7-c7 28.Qb4-b6 Ng6-h4 29.Nf2-d3 0.52/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqnvlk+0{ 9+p+l+r+-0 148 9+p+l+r+-0 9p+-zp-+n+0 9wQ-+Pzp-zpp0 9P+-+Pzp-+0 9tR-+-+P+-0 9-zP-vLLsNPzP0 9+-tRN+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 22...b7-b6 [Houdini annotates: 22...Ne8-f6 23.Qa5xd8 Ra8xd8 21...Rf7-c7 22.Qc3-a5 Bc8-d7 23.Rc1xc7 Qd8xc7 24.Qa5xc7 Ne8xc7 25.Bd2-a5 Nc7-e8 26.Ra3-b3 Ra8-a7 27.Nd1-c3 Kg8-f7 28.Rb3-b6 Bf8-e7 29.Rb6-b4 Ne8-f6 30.Ba5-b6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.a4-a5 Rd8-c8 25.Rc1xc8 Bd7xc8 24.a4-a5 Rd8-c8 25.Rc1xc8 Bd7xc8 26.Ra3-c3 Bc8-d7 27.Rc3-c7 Bd7-a4 28.Rc7-c3 g5-g4 29.f3xg4 h5xg4 30.b2-b3 Ba4-d7 31.Nd1-b2 Rf7-h7 32.Rc3-c7 0.19/14 ] 23.Qa5-b4 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 23.Qa5-c3 Ne8-f6 24.Qc3-c7 Qd8xc7 25.Rc1xc7 Ra8-c8 26.Rc7xc8 Bd7xc8 27.Ra3-c3 Bc8-b7 28.Rc3-c1 Kg8-g7 29.b2-b4 Nf6-e8 30.Nd1-b2 Rf7-c7 31.Nb2-c4 b6-b5 32.a4xb5 a6xb5 0.38/12 ] (Diagram 149) 23...Rf7-g7 [Houdini annotates: 23...a6-a5 24.Qb4-b3 Ne8-f6 25.h2-h3 Rf7-g7 26.Nd1-c3 g5-g4 27.h3xg4 h5xg4 28.Nf2xg4 Ng6-h4 29.Qb3d1 Ra8-c8 30.Ra3-b3 Nf6xg4 31.f3xg4 Bf8-e7 32.Nc3-b5 Rc8xc1 33.Bd2xc1 Qd8-c8 0.32/13 ] 24.Ra3-c3

192

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqnvlk+0{ 9+-+l+r+-0 149 9pzp-zp-+n+0 149 9+-+Pzp-zpp0 9PwQ-+Pzp-+0 9tR-+-+P+-0 9-zP-vLLsNPzP0 9+-tRN+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy [ Houdini annotates: 24.Ra3-b3 Ne8-f6 25.Nd1-c3 b6-b5 26.a4xb5 a6-a5 27.Qb4-a3 g5-g4 28.b5-b6 g4xf3 29.g2xf3 Ng6-h4+ 30.Kg1-h1 Qd8-b8 31.Qa3-a1 Qb8-b7 32.Rc1-g1 Bd7-e8 0.92/13 ] 24...Ng6-h4 [ Houdini annotates: 24...Ne8-f6 25.h2-h3 b6-b5 26.a4xb5 a6xb5 27.Rc3-a3 Ra8xa3 28.Qb4xa3 g5-g4 29.Bd2-a5 Qd8-a8 30.h3xg4 h5xg4 31.f3xg4 Ng6-h4 32.Ba5-e1 Qa8-b7 33.g2-g3 b5-b4 34.Qa3xb4 Qb7xb4 35.Be1xb4 f4xg3 0.37/13 ] 25.h2-h3 [ Houdini annotates: 25.g2-g3 Nh4-g6 26.g3-g4 Rg7-h7 27.g4xh5 Rh7xh5 28.Nf2-g4 b6-b5 29.Nd1-f2 Qd8-b6 30.a4-a5 Qb6-a7 31.Kg1-h1 Bd7xg4 32.Nf2xg4 0.54/11 ] 25...Bf8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 25...b6-b5 26.a4xb5 a6xb5 27.Rc3-a3 Ra8xa3 28.Qb4xa3 Qd8-b6 29.Bd2-a5 Qb6-a7 30.Ba5-b4 Qa7-b6 31.Nd1-c3 g5-g4 32.h3xg4 h5xg4 33.Bb4-a5 Qb6-d4 34.Rc1-d1 Qd4-e3 0.45/13 ] 26.Bd2-e1

193 26...Qd8-b8 last book move 26...Qd8-b8 last book move [ Houdini annotates: 26...b6-b5 27.a4-a5 Ra8-c8 28.Rc3xc8 Bd7xc8 29.Qb4-a3 Be7-f8 30.Nf2-d3 Diagram 29.Qb4-a3 Be7-f8 30.Nf2-d3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+lwqnvlk+0{ 9+-+-+-tr-0 150 9+-+-+-tr-0 150 9p+-zp-+-+0 9zPp+Pzp-zpp0 9-+-+Pzp-sn0 9wQ-+N+P+P0 9-zP-+L+P+0 9+-tRNvL-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy [ Houdini annotates: 26.Rc3-c6 Bd7xc6 27.d5xc6 Kg8-h8 28.Nd1-c3 Ne8-f6 29.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 30.e4xd5 Qd8-c7 31.Be2-d3 a6-a5 32.Qb4-b3 Ra8-d8 33.Rc1-e1 0.54/11 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rg7-c7 31.Nd1-c3 Ne8-f6 32.Be1-f2 Rg7-c7 31.Nd1-c3 Ne8-f6 32.Be1-f2 Nf6-d7 33.Nd3-b4 Bc8-b7 34.Qa3-a2 Nd7-c5 35.Nb4-c6 0.42/13 ] 27.Kg1-f1 [Houdini annotates: 27.Qb4-a3 b6-b5 28.b2-b4 b5xa4 29.Nd1b2 Bd7-b5 30.Rc3-c2 Qb8-a7 31.Kg1-h1 Qa7-e3 32.Be2-d3 Ne8-f6 33.Nb2-c4 Bb5xc4 34.Rc2xc4 0.69/12 ] 27...Be7-d8 [Houdini annotates: 27...Ne8-f6 28.Nf2-d3 Nh4-g6 29.Nd1-f2 g5-g4 30.h3xg4 a6-a5 31.Qb4-b3 h5xg4 32.f3xg4 Qb8-e8 33.Qb3xb6 Ra8-b8 34.Qb6xa5 Rb8-a8 35.Qa5-b6 Ra8xa4 36.Rc3-c4 0.46/12 ] 28.Rc3-b3 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Rc3-c2 b6-b5 29.a4-a5 Qb8-a7 30.b2b3 Qa7-b7 31.Kf1-g1 Ra8-c8 32.Nd1-c3 Nh4-g6 33.Kg1-h1 Qb7-c7 34.Nc3xb5 Qc7xc2 35.Rc1xc2 Rc8xc2 36.Nb5-c3 Rc2-c1 37.Nf2-d1 Rc1-a1 0.58/13 ] 28...Bd8-c7 [ 28...Qb8-b7 29.a4-a5² ; Houdini annotates: 28...Qb8-a7 29.Nd1-c3 Ra8-b8 30.Rc1-c2 b6-b5 31.a4xb5 a6-a5 32.Qb4-a3 Rb8-c8 33.Kf1-g1 Bd8-b6 34.Be2-d3 Bd7xh3

194

Levon Aronian's Best Games

195

35.g2xh3 Nh4xf3+ 36.Kg1-f1 0.36/13 ] 29.Qb4-a3 [ 29.Nd1-c3 Qb8-d8± ; Houdini annotates: 29.Kf1-g1 Bc7-d8 30.Nd1-c3 Qb8-b7 31.Be1-d2 Ra8-c8 32.Qb4-a3 Rg7-f7 33.Kg1-h1 a6-a5 34.Be2-d3 Rc8-c5 35.Kh1-g1 Ne8-f6 0.66/13 ] 29...Qb8-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 29...Bc7-d8 30.Kf1-g1 b6-b5 31.a4-a5 Qb8-a7 32.Kg1-h1 Ra8-c8 33.Rb3-c3 Rc8xc3 34.b2xc3 Qa7-b7 35.c3-c4 b5xc4 36.Be2xc4 g5-g4 37.h3xg4 h5xg4 38.Nf2xg4 Bd7xg4 39.f3xg4 Rg7xg4 0.26/13 ] 30.Rb3-c3 [Houdini annotates: 30.Be1-b4 g5-g4 31.h3xg4 h5xg4 32.Nf2xg4 b6-b5 33.Nd1-f2 b5xa4 34.Rb3-d3 Ra8-b8 35.Rd3-d1 Bc7-a5 36.Bb4-d2 Qd8-b6 37.Be2-d3 Rg7-h7 38.Bd2xa5 Qb6xa5 0.56/11 ] 30...Bc7-b8 [ 30...Ra8-c8 31.Rc3-c2± ; Houdini annotates: 30...Rg7-g6 31.Qa3-b3 b6-b5 32.Rc3xc7 Ne8xc7 33.Be1-a5 Ra8-c8 34.Qb3-c2 Rg6-g7 35.Ba5xc7 Qd8-f6 36.Qc2-d2 Bd7xh3 37.Nf2xh3 Rc8xc7 38.a4xb5 a6xb5 39.Rc1xc7 Rg7xc7 40.Qd2-a5 Rc7-c2 41.Qa5xb5 Qf6-d8 42.Qb5-a4 Rc2-d2

Bd7xc6 38.d5xc6 Nf6xg4 39.f3xg4 Bd7xc6 38.d5xc6 Nf6xg4 39.f3xg4 Ra7-c7 40.Be1-f2 Bb8-a7 41.Be2-c4+ Kg8-f8 42.Qa4xa6 Ba7xf2+ 43.Nd1xf2 0.50/12 ] 32...b6-b5 [ 32...Ne8-f6!?² ;Houdini annotates: 32...Bd7xc6 33.d5xc6 Rg7-c7 34.Nf2-d3 Kg8-g7 35.Be1-f2 Rc7-c8 36.Qa3-c3 Ra7-f7 37.Qc3-c4 a6-a5 38.Kf1-g1 Ne8-f6 39.Nd1-c3 a5xb4 40.Nd3xb4 0.12/13 ] 33.a4xb5± [ Houdini annotates: 33.a4xb5 Diagram

43.b2-b4 g5-g4 0.50/13 ] 31.b2-b4 [ 31.Nf2-d3 a6-a5± ;Houdini annotates: 31.Nf2-d3 g5-g4 32.h3xg4 h5xg4 33.f3xg4 Bd7xg4 34.Be2xg4 Rg7xg4 35.Rc3-c8 Qd8-d7 36.Be1xh4 Rg4xh4 37.Nd1-f2 Kg8-g7 38.Rc8-c6 Ne8-f6 39.Kf1-g1 Qd7-b7 0.56/12 ] 31...Ra8-a7 [Houdini annotates: 31...Ne8-f6 32.Rc3-c2 Kg8-h8 33.Nf2-d3 Nh4-g6 34.Nd1-f2 Ng6-h4 35.Kf1-g1 g5-g4 36.h3xg4 h5xg4 37.Nf2xg4 Nf6xg4 38.f3xg4 Bd7xg4 39.Be2xg4 Rg7xg4 0.47/13 ] 32.Rc3-c6 [ 32.Rc3-c2 b6-b5

33.Nf2-d3 b5xa4² ;Houdini annotates: 32.Kf1-g1 b6-b5 33.Qa3-a2 b5xa4 34.Rc3-c6 Ne8-f6 35.Qa2xa4 g5-g4 36.h3xg4 h5xg4 37.Nf2xg4

XIIIIIIIIY 9-vl-wqn+k+0{ 9tr-+l+-tr-0 151 9tr-+l+-tr-0 151 9p+Rzp-+-+0 9+P+Pzp-zpp0 9-zP-+Pzp-sn0 9wQ-+-+P+P0 9-+-+LsNP+0 9+-tRNvLK+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

Levon Aronian's Best Games a6xb5 34.Qa3-b3 Ra7-a8 35.Nd1-c3 a6xb5 34.Qa3-b3 Ra7-a8 35.Nd1-c3 Bb8-a7 36.Nc3xb5 Ba7-e3 37.Rc1-c2 Kg8-h7 38.Nf2-d1 Be3-b6 39.Qb3-d3 Bd7xc6 40.d5xc6 Ne8-c7 41.Nb5xd6 Bb6-d4 42.Nd6-f5 Nh4xf5 43.e4xf5 0.60/14 ] 33...a6xb5 [Houdini annotates: 33...a6xb5 34.Rc6-a6 Bd7-c8 35.Ra6-a5 Ne8-f6 36.Be2xb5 Ra7-c7 37.Rc1xc7 Qd8xc7 38.Qa3-c3 Qc7-d8 39.Nf2-d3 Bb8-c7 40.Ra5-a7 Bc7-b6 41.Ra7xg7+ Kg8xg7 42.Be1xh4 g5xh4 0.78/14 ] 34.Rc6-a6 [ Houdini annotates: 34.Qa3-b3 Ra7-a8 35.Nd1-c3 Bb8-a7 36.Nc3xb5 Ba7-e3 37.Rc1-c2 Kg8-h7 38.Nf2-d1 Be3-b6 39.Qb3-d3 Bd7xc6 40.d5xc6 Ne8-c7 41.Nd1-c3 Nc7xb5 42.Nc3xb5 0.76/13 ] 34...Ra7-b7

196

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 34...Bd7-c8 35.Ra6-a5 Ne8-f6 36.Be2xb5 Ra7-c7 37.Rc1xc7 Qd8xc7 38.Qa3-c3 Qc7-d8 39.Nf2-d3 Bb8-c7 40.Ra5-a7 Bc7-b6 41.Ra7xg7+ Kg8xg7 42.Be1xh4 g5xh4 0.78/13 ] 35.Rc1-c6 [ 35.Nd1-c3 Bb8-c7 36.Nf2-d3 Rb7-b8± ; Houdini annotates: 35.Nd1-c3 Ne8-f6 36.Nf2-d3 Nh4-g6 37.Ra6-a8 g5-g4 38.h3xg4 h5xg4 39.Qa3-a5 Qd8-e7 40.Be1-f2 g4xf3 41.Be2xf3 Qe7-e8 42.Qa5-a6 Bd7-g4 43.Bf2-c5 d6xc5 44.Qa6xf6 Rb7-f7 45.Qf6-b6 0.47/12 ] 35...Bd7xc6 [ 35...Bb8-a7!² is worth looking at ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 35...Ne8-f6 36.Qa3-a5 Bb8-c7 37.Qa5-a3 Bc7-b8 38.Qa3-a5 0.28/11 ] 36.d5xc6± [Houdini annotates: 36.d5xc6 Rb7-b6 37.Qa3-a5 Bb8-c7 38.Nd1-c3 Kg8-f8 39.Qa5-a2 Rb6xa6 40.Qa2xa6 Bc7-b8 41.Nc3xb5 Ne8-c7 42.Qa6-a5 Kf8-e7 43.Kf1-g1 Nc7xb5 44.Qa5xb5 Qd8-c7 45.Qb5-d5 Bb8-a7 46.b4-b5 0.46/12 ] 36...Rb7-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 36...Rb7-b6 37.Qa3-a5 Bb8-c7 38.Nd1-c3 Kg8-f8 39.Qa5-a2 Rb6xa6 40.Qa2xa6 Bc7-b8 41.Nc3xb5 Ne8-c7 42.Qa6-a5 Kf8-e7 43.Nb5-c3 Rg7-g6 44.Nc3-d5+ Nc7xd5 45.Qa5xd5 0.73/13 ] 37.Nd1-c3 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 37.Be2xb5 Qd8-c8 38.Ra6-a4 Rg7-f7 39.Qa3-b3 Kg8-g7 40.Kf1-g1 Ne8-f6 41.Nd1-c3 Rf7-c7 42.Nc3-d5 Nf6xd5 43.Qb3xd5 Ra7xa4 44.Bb5xa4 0.58/13 ] (Diagram 152)

197

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-vl-wqn+k+0{ 9tr-+-+-tr-0 152 9tr-+-+-tr-0 152 9R+Pzp-+-+0 9+p+-zp-zpp0 9-zP-+Pzp-sn0 9wQ-sN-+P+P0 9-+-+LsNP+0 9+-+-vLK+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 37...d6-d5 [ 37...Ne8-f6 38.Qa3-b3+ Kg8-f8 39.Ra6xa7 ( 39.Be2xb5?! g5-g4 40.h3xg4 h5xg4 41.Nf2xg4 Nf6xg4 42.f3xg4 Nh4xg2= ) 39...Bb8xa7 40.Nc3xb5± ;Houdini 2.0c : 37...Qd8-c8 38.Be2xb5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ne8-f6 39.Nf2-d3 Kg8-h7 40.Be1-f2 Ne8-f6 39.Nf2-d3 Kg8-h7 40.Be1-f2 Ra7xa6 41.Qa3xa6 Rg7-c7 42.Qa6-a8 Kh7-g7 43.Kf1-g1 Qc8-g8 44.Qa8-a5 0.57/12 ] 38.Nc3xd5+[ Houdini annotates: 38.Nc3xb5 Ra7xa6 39.Qa3xa6 Ne8-f6 40.Qa6-a5 Bb8-c7 41.Qa5-a2 Kg8-h7 42.Nb5xc7 Rg7xc7 43.b4-b5 Kh7-g7 44.Nf2-d3 d5xe4 45.Nd3-c5 Kg7-g6 46.f3xe4 Qd8-g8 47.Qa2xg8+ Nf6xg8 48.Kf1-f2 Ng8-f6 1.21/12 ] 38...Nh4-f5 [ 38...Ne8-d6 39.Qa3-b3 Kg8-f8 40.Ra6-a5+- ;Houdini annotates: 38...Ne8-d6 39.Ra6-a5 Qd8-c8 40.Qa3-c3 Ra7-f7 41.Kf1-g1 Bb8-a7 42.c6-c7 Rf7xc7 43.Nd5xc7 Qc8xc7 44.Qc3xe5 Qc7-c1 45.Qe5-d5+ Kg8-h7 46.Qd5-d2 Ba7xf2+ 47.Kg1xf2 1.13/12 ] 39.e4xf5 [ Houdini annotates: 39.e4xf5 Qd8xd5 40.Nf2-e4 g5-g4 41.Be1-f2 Ra7xa6 42.Qa3xa6 g4xf3 43.g2xf3 Rg7-c7 44.Qa6xb5 Qd5xb5 45.Be2xb5 Kg8-g7 46.Kf1-e2 Bb8-a7 47.Bf2-h4 Kg7-f8 48.Ne4-g5 Rc7-c8 49.Ng5-e6+ Kf8-g8 50.Ke2-d3 Ne8-d6 1.54/14 ] 39...Qd8xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 39...Qd8xd5 40.Nf2-e4 g5-g4 41.h3xg4 h5xg4 42.Be1-f2 g4xf3 43.g2xf3 Ra7xa6

198

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44.Qa3xa6 Rg7-c7 45.Qa6xb5 Qd5xb5 46.Be2xb5 Bb8-a7 47.Bb5-c4+ Kg8-f8 48.b4-b5 Ba7xf2 49.Kf1xf2 Kf8-e7 50.Bc4-d5 Ne8-f6 51.b5-b6 Nf6xd5 52.b6xc7 Nd5xc7 53.Kf2-e2 Nc7-d5 54.Ke2-d2 Ke7-f7 55.Ne4-c3 1.56/13 ] 40.Nf2-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 40.Nf2-e4 g5g4 41.h3xg4 h5xg4 42.Be1-f2 g4xf3 43.g2xf3 Ra7xa6 44.Qa3xa6 Rg7-c7 45.Qa6xb5 Qd5xb5 46.Be2xb5 Bb8-a7 47.Bb5-a4 Ba7xf2 48.Kf1xf2 Rc7-h7 49.Kf2-e2 Rh7-h2+ 50.Ke2-d3 Rh2-h3 51.Ne4-g5 Rh3-g3 52.Ba4-b3+ Kg8-f8 53.Ng5-e6+ Kf8-e7 1.41/15 ] 40...Rg7-c7 [ Houdini annotates: 40...g5-g4 41.h3xg4 h5xg4 42.Be1-f2 Ra7xa6 43.Qa3xa6 g4xf3 44.g2xf3 Rg7-c7 45.Qa6xb5 Qd5xb5 46.Be2xb5 Bb8-a7 47.Bb5-a4 Ba7xf2 48.Kf1xf2 Rc7-h7 49.Kf2-e2 Rh7-h2+ 50.Ke2-d3 Rh2-h3 51.Ne4-g5 Rh3-g3 1.39/13 ] 41.Ne4xg5 [Houdini annotates: 41.Ra6-a5 Kg8-h8 42.Be1-c3 Kh8-g8 43.Be2xb5 Ra7xa5 44.Qa3xa5 Bb8-a7 45.Qa5-a4 Ba7-d4 46.Bc3xd4 e5xd4 47.Ne4xg5 Ne8-d6 48.Qa4-a8+ Rc7-c8 1.06/12 ] 41...Ne8-g7? [ ¹41...Ra7xa6!? 42.Qa3xa6 Ne8-d6± ;Houdini annotates: 41...Ne8-d6 42.Ng5-e6 Ra7xa6 43.Ne6xc7 Ra6xa3 44.Nc7xd5 Nd6xf5 45.c6-c7 Bb8xc7 46.Nd5xc7 Nf5-e3+ 47.Kf1-f2 Ra3-a2 48.g2-g4 Ne3-d1+ 49.Kf2-f1 Nd1-e3+ 50.Kf1-f2 Ne3-d1+ 51.Kf2-f1 0.20/11 ] 42.Ra6-b6 [ 42.f5-f6 seems even better Ng7-e6 43.Ng5xe6 Qd5xe6 44.Be2xb5 Qe6xf6 45.Ra6xa7 Bb8xa7 46.Bb5-c4+ Kg8-g7+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 42.f5-f6 Ng7-e6 43.Ng5xe6

199 Qd5xe6 44.Be2xb5 Ra7xa6 45.Qa3xa6 Qe6xf6 46.Qa6-b6 Qf6-d8 47.Bb5-c4+ Kg8-g7 48.b4-b5 Bb8-a7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 49.Qb6-a5 Ba7-d4 50.Qa5-a3 Bd4-a7 49.Qb6-a5 Ba7-d4 50.Qa5-a3 Bd4-a7 51.Qa3-c3 Qd8-d6 52.Bc4-b3 Ba7-d4 53.Qc3-c4 Qd6-d8 54.Be1-b4 1.62/13 ] 42...Ng7xf5 [ 42...Ra7xa3 43.Rb6xb8+ Ng7-e8 44.Rb8xe8+ Kg8-g7 45.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-h7 46.Ne6xc7 Qd5xc6 47.Re8-e7+ ( 47.Nc7xb5?! Ra3xf3+ 48.g2xf3 Qc6xe8² ) 47...Kh7-h8 48.Be2xb5+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 42...Ra7xa3 43.Rb6xb8+ Ng7e8 44.Rb8xe8+ Kg8-g7 45.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f6 46.Ne6xc7 Qd5-f7 47.Re8-c8 1.46/15 ] 43.Rb6xb8+ [ Houdini annotates: 43.Rb6xb8+ Kg8g7 44.Qa3-b2 Nf5-e3+ 45.Kf1-g1 Rc7xc6 46.Rb8xb5 Qd5-d4 47.Qb2xd4 e5xd4 48.Rb5-a5 Ra7-e7 49.Ng5-e4 Rc6-c2 50.Be2-d3 Rc2xg2+ 51.Kg1-h1 Rg2-b2 52.Ra5xh5 Rb2-a2 53.Rh5-a5 Re7-a7 54.Ra5-g5+ Kg7-h6 55.Rg5-g1 Ra7-g7 56.b4-b5 Ra2-a1 57.Be1-f2 Ra1xg1+ 58.Bf2xg1 Rg7-g6 1.72/15 ] 43...Kg8-g7 [Houdini annotates: 43...Kg8-g7 44.Qa3-b2 Rc7xc6 45.Rb8xb5 Nf5-e3+ 46.Kf1-g1 Qd5-d4 47.Qb2xd4 e5xd4 48.Rb5-a5 Ra7-e7 49.Ng5-e4 Rc6-c2 50.Be2-d3 Rc2xg2+ 51.Kg1-h1 Kg7-h6 52.Ne4-f6 Rg2-g5 53.Ra5-a6 Kh6-g7 54.b4-b5 Re7-b7 55.Be1-b4 1.59/12 ] 44.Qa3-b2 [ 44.Rb8xb5 Ra7xa3 45.Rb5xd5 Nf5-e3+ 46.Kf1-f2 Ne3xd5 47.Ng5-e6+ Kg7-f6 48.Ne6xc7 Nd5xc7² ;Houdini annotates: 44.Qa3-b2 Rc7xc6 45.Rb8xb5 Nf5-e3+ 46.Kf1-g1 Qd5-d4 47.Qb2xd4 e5xd4 48.Rb5-a5 Ra7-e7 49.Ng5-e4 Rc6-c2 50.Be2-d3 Rc2xg2+ 51.Kg1-h1 Rg2-b2 52.Ra5xh5 Rb2-a2

200 53.Rh5-a5 Re7-a7 54.Ra5-g5+ Kg7-h6 55.Rg5-g1 Ra7-g7 56.b4-b5 Ra2-a1 57.Be1-f2 Ra1xg1+ 58.Bf2xg1 Rg7-g6 1.70/13 ] 44...Ra7-a2? [ 44...Rc7xc6 45.Rb8xb5 Nf5-e3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 46.Kf1-g1 Qd5-d4 47.Qb2xd4 e5xd4+- ;Houdini annotates: 44...Rc7xc6 45.Rb8xb5 Nf5-e3+ 46.Kf1-g1 Qd5-d4 47.Qb2xd4 e5xd4 48.Rb5-a5 Ra7-e7 49.Ng5-e4 Rc6-c2 50.Be2-d3 Rc2xg2+ 51.Kg1-h1 Kg7-f8 52.b4-b5 Re7-g7 53.Be1-b4+ Kf8-e8 54.Ra5-a8+ Ke8-d7 55.Ne4-f6+ Kd7-e6 56.Ra8-a6+ Ke6-e5 57.Nf6xh5 1.55/12 ] 45.Qb2-b1 [ Houdini annotates: 45.Qb2-b1 Ra2-c2 46.Rb8xb5 Qd5-d6 47.Kf1-g1 Rc7xc6 48.Be2-d1 Nf5-e3 49.Bd1xc2 Rc6xc2 50.Rb5-b7+ Kg7-g6 51.Qb1-b3 Qd6-d5 52.Qb3xd5 Ne3xd5 53.Ng5-e4 Nd5-e3 54.Rb7-b6+ Kg6-f7 55.Be1-d2 Ne3-c4 56.Rb6-f6+ Kf7-e7 57.Bd2-e1 Nc4-e3 4.51/12 ] 45...Ra2-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 45...Ra2-c2 46.Rb8xb5 Qd5-d6 47.Kf1-g1 Rc7xc6 48.Be2-d1 Nf5-e3 49.Bd1xc2 Rc6xc2 50.Rb5-b7+ Kg7-g6 51.Qb1-b3 Qd6-d5 52.Qb3xd5 Ne3xd5 53.Ng5-e4 Nd5-e3 54.Rb7-b6+ Kg6-f7 55.Be1-d2 Ne3-c4 56.Rb6-f6+ Kf7-e7 57.Bd2-e1 Nc4-e3 4.80/13 ] 46.Rb8xb5 [Houdini annotates: 46.Rb8xb5 Qd5-d6 47.Kf1-g1 Nf5-d4 48.Be2-d1 Qd6xc6 49.Rb5-c5 Rc2xc5 50.Qb1-h7+ Kg7-f8 51.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 52.b4xc5 Qc6xc5 53.Kg1-h2 Ke7-d7 54.Bd1-a4+ Nd4-c6 55.Ng5-e4 Qc5-a3 56.Ba4-b5 Qa3-e7 57.Qh8xh5 4.31/11 ] 46...Qd5-d6 [ 46...Nf5-e3+ doesn't get the cat off the tree 47.Kf1-g1 Qd5xc6 48.Rb5-c5 Rc2xc5 49.Qb1-h7+ Kg7-f8 50.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-e7 51.b4xc5 Qc6xc5 52.Qh8-h7+ Ke7-e8 53.Qh7-g8+ Ke8-d7 54.Ng5-e4+- ;Houdini annotates: 46...Qd5-d6 47.Kf1-g1

201 Nf5-e3 48.Be1-c3 Kg7-h6 49.Rb5xe5 Rc2xe2 50.Re5-e6+ Qd6xe6 51.Ng5xe6 Re2xg2+ 52.Kg1-h1 Rc7xc6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 53.Ne6xf4 Rg2-c2 54.Bc3g7+ Kh6xg7 55.Qb1-g1+ Ne3-g2 53.Ne6xf4 Rg2-c2 54.Bc3g7+ Kh6xg7 55.Qb1-g1+ Ne3-g2 56.Qg1-d4+ Kg7-h7 57.Nf4xg2 Rc6-g6 58.Ng2-e3 3.76/12 ] 47.Rb5-b7 [ ¹47.h3-h4!? might be the shorter path Qd6-f6+- ;Houdini annotates: 47.Kf1-g1 Qd6xc6 48.Rb5xe5 Nf5-d4 49.Qb1-a1 Qc6-b6 50.Kg1-h2 Rc2-c1 51.Qa1-a6 Qb6-f6 52.Ng5-e6+ Nd4xe6 53.Re5xe6 Qf6-f5 54.Be2-d3 4.29/11 ] 47...Kg7-h6 [Houdini annotates: 47...Kg7-h6 48.Ng5-e4 Qd6-g6 49.g2-g4 h5xg4 50.h3xg4 Qg6xc6 51.Rb7xc7 Nf5-e3+ 52.Kf1-g1 Qc6xc7 53.Be1-d2 Qc7-b6 54.Kg1-h1 Kh6-g7 55.Bd2xe3 Qb6-h6+ 56.Kh1-g2 Rc2xe2+ 57.Be3-f2 Qh6-b6 58.b4-b5 1.81/13 ] 48.Kf1-g1 [ 48.Qb1xc2? is tempting, but Nf5-e3+ 49.Kf1-g1 Ne3xc2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 48.Ng5-e4 Nf5-e3+ 49.Kf1-g1 Qd6-g6 50.g2-g4 Qg6xc6 51.Rb7xc7 Qc6xc7 52.g4-g5+ Kh6-g7 53.Be1-d2 Qc7-b6 54.Kg1-h2 Qb6-d4 55.Qb1-e1 Ne3-c4 56.Be2xc4 Qd4xc4 57.Qe1-f2 Rc2-a2 58.Kh2-g2 Qc4-d4 59.Qf2xd4 e5xd4 60.Kg2-f2 Ra2-b2 61.Kf2-e2 Kg7-g6 1.83/11 ] 48...Qd6xc6 [ 48...Nf5e3 a last effort to resist the inevitable 49.Ng5-e4 Qd6-g6+- ;Houdini annotates: 48...Nf5-e3 49.Ng5-e4 Qd6-g6 50.g2-g4 Qg6xc6 51.Rb7xc7 Qc6xc7 52.g4-g5+ Kh6-g7 53.Be1-d2 Qc7-b6 54.Kg1-h2 Qb6-d4 55.Qb1-e1 Ne3-c4 56.Be2xc4 Qd4xc4 57.Qe1-f2 Rc2-a2 1.71/11 ] 49.Ng5-f7+ [ Houdini annotates: 49.Ng5-f7+

202 Kh6-g7 50.Nf7-d8 Qc6xb7 51.Nd8xb7 Rc2xe2 52.Qb1xf5 Re2xe1+ 53.Kg1-f2 Rc7-c1 54.Qf5-g5+ Kg7-f8 55.Qg5-f6+ Kf8-g8 56.Qf6-g6+ Kg8-f8 57.Nb7-d6 Re1-f1+ 58.Kf2-e2 Rf1-e1+ 59.Ke2-d3 Rc1-d1+ 60.Kd3-c4 Kf8-e7 61.Nd6-f5+ Ke7-d7 62.Qg6xh5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rd1-c1+ 63.Kc4-b5 5.42/12 ] 49...Rc7xf7 [Houdini annotates: 49...Kh6-g7 50.Nf7-d8 Qc6xb7 51.Nd8xb7 Rc2xe2 52.Qb1xf5 Re2xe1+ 53.Kg1-f2 Rc7-c1 54.Qf5-g5+ Kg7-f8 55.Qg5-f6+ Kf8-g8 56.Qf6-g6+ Kg8-f8 57.Nb7-d6 Re1-f1+ 58.Kf2-e2 Rf1-e1+ 59.Ke2-d3 Kf8-e7 60.Nd6-f5+ Ke7-d8 61.Qg6xh5 Rc1-d1+ 62.Kd3-c3 Rd1-c1+ 63.Kc3-b2 Rc1-b1+ 64.Kb2-a3 5.74/13 ] 50.Rb7xf7 [Houdini annotates: 50.Rb7xf7 Rc2xe2 51.Qb1xf5 Qc6-b6+ 52.Kg1-f1 Re2xe1+ 53.Kf1xe1 Qb6-e3+ 54.Ke1-f1 Qe3-c1+ 55.Kf1-e2 Qc1-e3+ 56.Ke2-d1 Qe3-d4+ 57.Kd1-c2 Qd4-c4+ 58.Kc2-d2 Qc4xb4+ 59.Kd2-d3 Qb4-d4+ 60.Kd3-c2 Qd4-c5+ 61.Kc2-b3 Qc5-b5+ 62.Kb3-a3 Qb5-a5+ 63.Ka3-b2 Qa5-b4+ 64.Kb2-c1 Qb4-c4+ 65.Kc1-b1 Qc4-f1+ 66.Kb1-b2 Qf1xg2+ 67.Qf5-c2 Qg2xf3 68.Qc2-h7+ Kh6-g5 5.56/11 ] 50...Nf5-e3 [Houdini annotates: 50...Rc2xe2 51.Qb1xf5 Qc6-b6+ 52.Kg1-f1 Re2xe1+ 53.Kf1xe1 Qb6-e3+ 54.Ke1-f1 Qe3-c1+ 55.Kf1-e2 Qc1-e3+ 56.Ke2-d1 Qe3-d4+ 57.Kd1-c2 Qd4-c4+ 58.Kc2-d2 Qc4xb4+ 59.Kd2-d3 Qb4-d4+ 60.Kd3-c2 Qd4-c5+ 61.Kc2-b3 Qc5-b5+ 62.Kb3-a3 Qb5-a5+ 63.Ka3-b2 Qa5-b4+ 64.Kb2-c1 Qb4-c4+ 65.Kc1-b1 Qc4-f1+ 66.Kb1-b2 Qf1xg2+ 67.Qf5-c2 Qg2xf3 68.Qc2-h7+ Kh6-g5 4.81/12 ] 51.Rf7-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 51.Rf7-a7 Qc6-e8 52.b4-b5 Kh6-g5 53.Ra7-a2

203 Rc2-c7 54.Ra2-a6 h5-h4 55.Be2-d3 Qe8-f7 56.Qb1-b4 Rc7-c1 57.Bd3-g6 Qf7-b7 58.Bg6-e4 Qb7-d7 59.Ra6-g6+ Kg5-h5 60.b5-b6 6.67/11 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 51...Qc6-d5 [ 51...Qc6-c8 cannot undo what has already been done 51...Qc6-d5 [ 51...Qc6-c8 cannot undo what has already been done 52.h3-h4+- ;Houdini annotates: 51...Qc6-c8 52.Ra7-a6+ Kh6-g7 53.Qb1-a1 Qc8-f5 54.Be1-c3 Rc2xe2 55.Ra6-a7+ Kg7-f8 56.Ra7a8+ Kf8-e7 57.Qa1-a7+ Qf5-d7 58.Qa7-c5+ Qd7-d6 59.Ra8e8+ Ke7xe8 60.Qc5xd6 Re2xg2+ 61.Kg1-h1 Rg2-c2 62.Qd6xe5+ Ke8-d7 63.Qe5xf4 Rc2-c1+ 64.Kh1-h2 Rc1-c2+ 65.Kh2-g1 Rc2-c1+ 66.Kg1-f2 Ne3-d1+ 67.Kf2-g3 Rc1xc3 68.Qf4-d2+ Kd7-c6 69.Qd2xd1 6.92/13 ] 52.Qb1-a1 [Houdini annotates: 52.Qb1-a1 Rc2-c6 53.Ra7-a6 Rc6-g6 54.Be1-c3 Rg6xa6 55.Qa1xa6+ Kh6-g7 56.Be2-d3 Kg7-f7 57.Bd3-e4 Qd5-d1+ 58.Kg1-f2 Kf7-e7 59.Be4-d3 Qd1-c1 60.Qa6-a7+ Ke7-f8 61.Qa7-b8+ Kf8-f7 62.Qb8-c7+ Kf7-f8 63.Qc7-d6+ Kf8-f7 64.Qd6-g6+ Kf7-e7 65.Qg6-g7+ Ke7-d8 66.Qg7-g5+ Kd8-d7 67.Bc3xe5 6.97/15 ] 52...Ne3xg2 [ 52...Rc2c6 hoping against hope 53.Ra7-a6 Rc6xa6 54.Qa1xa6+ Kh6-g7+- ; Houdini annotates: 52...Rc2-c6 53.Ra7-a6 Rc6-g6 54.Be1-c3 Ne3-c4 55.Qa1-a2 Nc4-e3 56.Qa2xd5 Ne3xd5 57.Bc3xe5 Rg6xa6 58.Be2xa6 Kh6-g5 59.b4-b5 Kg5-f5 60.Be5-d4 Kf5-e6 61.Ba6-c8+ Ke6-d6 6.73/13 ] 53.Qa1-a6+ Diagram [ 53.Qa1-a6+ Qd5-c6 54.Qa6xc6+ Rc2xc6 55.Kg1xg2+- ;Houdini annotates: 53.Qa1-a6+ Qd5-c6 54.Qa6xc6+ Rc2xc6 55.Kg1xg2 Kh6g5 56.b4-b5 Rc6-c1 57.Kg2-f2 Kg5-f6 58.b5-b6

204 Rc1-c8 59.b6-b7 Rc8-b8 60.Be1-c3 Kf6-e6 61.Ra7-a6+ Ke6-d5 62.Bc3-b4 e5-e4 63.f3xe4+ Kd5xe4 64.Be2-f3+ Ke4-d4 65.Bb4-d6 10.29/13 ] 1-0

205

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9tR-+-+-+-0 153 9Q+-+-+-mk0 9+-+qzp-+p0 9-zP-+-zp-+0 9+-+-+P+P0 9-+r+L+n+0 9+-+-vL-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

24.Rc1-e1 Diagram 24.Rc1-e1 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9zpp+-+pzpp0 154 9-+p+-+-+0 9+-+n+qvL-0 9-+-+-+-wQ0 9+N+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+R+-tRK+-0 xiiiiiiiiy

Rf8-e8 25.Kf1-g1 f7-f6 26.Bg5-d2 27 D20 0.61/13 ] 20...Qh3xh2 [ 20...0-0 21.Nb3-c5 Ra8-e8² ;Houdini Levon Aronian annotates: 20...0-0 21.Qd4-h4 Qh3Hrvoje Stevic European Club Cup (4) 20.10.2010 f5 22.Ke1-f1 Qf5xe5 23.Ra1-b1 Qe5-f5 D20: Queen's Gambit Accepted: 3 e3 and 3 e4 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 d5xc4 3.e2-e4 e7-e5 4.Ng1-f3 e5xd4 5.Bf1xc4 Bf8-b4+ 6.Nb1-d2 Nb8-c6 7.0-0 Ng8-f6 8.e4-e5 Nf6-d5 9.Nd2-b3 The pressure on d4 grows Nd5-b6 10.Bc4-b5 Qd8-d5 11.Bb5xc6+ Qd5xc6 12.Bc1-g5 Bc8-g4 13.Qd1xd4 Bg4xf3 14.Qd4xb4 Nb6-d5 15.Qb4-d2 Bf3xg2 16.Rf1-c1 Qc6-e6 17.Kg1xg2 Qe6-g4+ 18.Kg2-f1 Qg4-h3+ 19.Kf1-e1 c7-c6 Standard Book moves end here 20.Qd2-d4 [Houdini annotates: 20.Bg5-f4 0-0 21.Bf4-g3 Ra8-e8 22.Nb3-c5 Re8-e7 23.Rc1-c4 Rf8-d8 24.Ra1-d1 b7-b6 25.Nc5-e4 c6-c5 26.Qd2-d3 h7-h6 27.Ne4-c3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8-e2 27.Rb1-d1 0.40/13 ] Re8-e2 27.Rb1-d1 0.40/13 ] 21.Ke1-d2+- [Houdini annotates: 21.Ke1-d2 Qh2-h5 22.Qd4-h4 Qh5-g6 23.Rc1-g1 h7-h5 24.Bg5-e3 Qg6-h7 25.Nb3-c5 0-0 26.Qh4-e4 b7-b6 27.Qe4xh7+ Kg8xh7 28.Nc5-e4 Ra8-d8 29.Rg1-h1 g7-g6 30.Ne4-d6 f7-f6 31.f2-f4 f6xe5 32.f4xe5 Rf8-f3 33.Be3-g5 Rf3-f2+ 34.Kd2-d3 1.50/14 ] 21...Qh2-h3 [ 21...Qh2-h5 22.Qd4-h4 Qh5xh4 23.Bg5xh4+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 21...Qh2-h5 Diagram (Diagram 155) 22.Qd4-h4 Qh5-g6 23.Rc1-g1 h7-h5 24.Bg5-e3 Qg6-h7 25.Nb3-c5 b7-b6 26.Nc5-e4 0-0 27.Ne4-d6 Ra8-d8 28.Kd2-e1 f7-f6 29.Qh4-g3 f6xe5 30.Qg3xe5 1.34/12 ] 22.Rc1-h1 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Nb3-c5 0-0 23.Nc5xb7 Rf8-b8 24.Nb7-d6 Qh3-g2 25.Bg5-h4 Rb8-b4 26.Nd6-c4 Ra8-b8 27.Bh4-g3 Qg2-f3 28.e5-e6 Rb8-e8 29.e6xf7+ Qf3xf7 30.Rc1-e1 1.22/12 ] 22...Qh3-f5 [Houdini annotates: 22...Qh3-f3 23.Ra1-g1 b7-b6 24.Kd2-c1 Qf3-f5 25.e5-e6 f7-f6

206

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0 9zpp+-+pzpp0 155 9-+p+-+-+0 9+-+nzP-vLq0 9-+-wQ-+-+0 9+N+-+-+-0 9PzP-mK-zP-+0 9tR-tR-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26.Bg5-d2 g7-g6 27.Rg1-e1 Ra8-c8 28.Qd4-a4 a7-a5 29.Qa4-c4 Qf5xf2 30.Kc1-b1 1.51/11 ] 23.Ra1-g1 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Ra1-g1 f7-f6 24.e5xf6 g7xf6 25.Rg1-e1+ Ke8-f7 26.Bg5-h6 b7-b6 27.Qd4-a4 Rh8-e8 28.Re1-g1 Re8-g8 29.Kd2-c1 Rg8xg1+ 30.Rh1xg1 Qf5-h3 31.Bh6-d2 Qh3-f5 32.Nb3-d4 Qf5xf2 33.Rg1-e1 b6-b5 34.Qa4-c2 Kf7-g8 35.Qc2xc6 1.93/12 ] 23...f7-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 23...g7-g6 24.Nb3-c5 0-0 25.Nc5xb7 Rf8-e8 26.Nb7-d6 Qf5xe5 27.Qd4xe5 Re8xe5 28.Nd6-c4 Re5-f5 29.Bg5-h4 Ra8-b8 30.Rg1-e1 h7-h5 31.Bh4-g3 1.38/11 ] 24.e5xf6 [Houdini annotates: 24.e5xf6 g7xf6 25.Rg1-e1+ Ke8-f7 26.Bg5-h6 b7-b6 27.Qd4-a4 Rh8-e8 28.Re1-g1 Re8-g8 29.Kd2-c1 Rg8xg1+ 30.Rh1xg1 Qf5-h3 31.Bh6-d2 Qh3-f5 32.Nb3-d4 Qf5xf2 33.Rg1-e1 b6-b5 34.Qa4-c2 Kf7-g8 35.Qc2xc6 2.27/14 ] 24...g7xf6 [ Houdini annotates: 24...g7xf6 25.Rg1-e1+ Ke8-f7 26.Bg5-h6 b7-b6 27.Qd4-a4 Rh8-e8 28.Re1-g1 Re8-g8 29.Kd2-c1 Rg8xg1+ 30.Rh1xg1

207 Kf7-g8 35.Qc2xc6 2.23/13 ] 25.Kd2-c1 [Houdini annotates: 25.Rg1-e1+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+-+-+p0 156 9zpp+-+-+p0 156 9-+p+-zp-+0 9+-+n+qvL-0 9-+-wQ-+-+0 9+N+-+-+-0 9PzP-mK-zP-+0 9+-+-tR-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Qf5-h3 31.Bh6-d2 Qh3-f5 32.Nb3-d4 Qf5xf2 33.Rg1-e1 b6-b5 34.Qa4-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke8-f7 26.Bg5-h6 b7-b6 27.Qd4-a4 Ke8-f7 26.Bg5-h6 b7-b6 27.Qd4-a4 Rh8-e8 28.Kd2-c1 Re8xe1+ 29.Rh1xe1 c6-c5 30.a2-a3 Kf7-g6 31.Bh6-d2 Kg6-g7 32.Re1g1+ Kg7-h8 33.Qa4-c6 Ra8g8 34.Rg1xg8+ Kh8xg8 35.Qc6a8+ Kg8-g7 36.Qa8xa7+ Kg7-g6 37.Qa7-b7 1.93/12 ] 25...c6-c5? [ 25...0-0-0 26.Bg5-d2 Nd5-b6+; Houdini annotates: 25...0-0-0 26.Bg5-d2 b7-b6 27.Qd4-c4 Qf5-d7 28.Kc1-b1 Kc8-b7 29.Qc4-c2 c6-c5 30.Rh1-h5 Qd7-f7 31.Rg1-h1 Rd8-d7 32.Qc2-d3 a7-a6 33.Rh5-h6 1.36/12 ] 26.Qd4-a4+ [Houdini annotates: 26.Qd4-a4+ Ke8-f7 27.Bg5-h6 Rh8-g8 28.Rg1xg8 Ra8xg8 29.Qa4xa7 Qf5xf2 30.Qa7xb7+ Nd5-e7 31.Qb7-e4 Rg8-g1+ 32.Rh1xg1 Qf2xg1+ 33.Kc1-c2 Qg1-g6 34.Qe4xg6+ h7xg6 35.Bh6-e3 c5-c4 36.Nb3-a5 g6-g5 37.Na5xc4 g5-g4 38.a2-a4 g4-g3 39.a4-a5 Ne7-d5 40.Kc2-d3 g3-g2 41.Be3-g1 Kf7-e6 42.Kd3-e2 3.62/13 ] 26...Ke8-f7 [Houdini annotates: 26...Ke8-f7 27.Bg5-h6 Rh8-g8 28.Rg1xg8 Ra8xg8 29.Qa4xa7 Qf5xf2

208

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Qa7xb7+ Nd5-e7 31.Qb7-e4 Rg8-g1+ 32.Rh1xg1 Qf2xg1+ 33.Kc1-c2 Qg1-g6 34.Qe4xg6+ h7xg6 35.Bh6-e3 c5-c4 36.Nb3-a5 c4-c3 37.Kc2xc3 g6-g5 38.a2-a4 g5-g4 39.Na5-c4 g4-g3 40.Kc3-d3 g3-g2 41.a4-a5 Ne7-d5 3.83/12 ] 27.Bg5-d2 [ ¹27.Bg5-h6 and White can celebrate victory Rh8-g8 28.Nb3xc5+- ; Houdini annotates: 27.Bg5-h6 Rh8-g8 28.Rg1xg8 Ra8xg8 29.Qa4xa7 Qf5xf2 30.Qa7xb7+ Nd5-e7 31.Kc1-b1 Rg8-g1+ 32.Rh1xg1 Qf2xg1+ 33.Bh6-c1 Qg1-g6+ 34.Kb1-a1 Qg6-c2 35.Bc1-h6 c5-c4 2.70/10 ] 27...Nd5-b4± [Houdini annotates: 27...Nd5-b4 28.Nb3xc5 Qf5xc5+ 29.Bd2-c3 Nb4-d3+ 30.Kc1-b1 Qc5-f5 31.Rh1-h5 Nd3-c5+ 32.Rh5xf5 Nc5xa4 33.Rf5xf6+ Kf7-e8 34.Bc3-b4 b7-b6 35.Rg1-e1+ Ke8-d8 36.Rf6-f7 Na4-c5 37.Bb4-c3 Rh8-g8 38.Bc3-f6+ Kd8-c8 39.Rf7xh7 2.14/11 ] 28.Nb3-d4 [ 28.Bd2xb4 c5xb4 29.Nb3-a1 ( ‹29.Qa4xb4 Ra8-c8+ 30.Qb4-c3 Rc8xc3+ 31.b2xc3 h7-h5-+ ) 29...Rh8-c8+ 30.Na1-c2± ;Houdini 2. 0c : 28.Nb3xc5 Qf5xc5+ 29.Bd2-c3 Nb4-d3+ 30.Kc1-b1 Qc5-f5 31.Rh1-h5 Nd3-c5+ 32.Rh5xf5 Nc5xa4 33.Rf5xf6+ Kf7-e8 34.Bc3-d4 Rh8-f8 35.Rf6-h6 Rf8-f7 36.Rg1-g8+ Rf7-f8 37.Rg8xf8+ Ke8xf8 38.Rh6xh7 Ra8-d8 39.Bd4xa7 b7-b6 40.Kb1-c2 Rd8-c8+ 41.Kc2-d2 2.12/10 ] 28...c5xd4?? [ ¹28...Nb4-d3+ would hold out 29.Kc1-b1 c5xd4 30.Qa4-c4+ Kf7-e8± ;Houdini annotates: 28...Nb4-d3+ 29.Kc1-b1

209 worse Ra8-c8+ 30.Bb4-c3 d4xc3 worse Ra8-c8+ 30.Bb4-c3 d4xc3 31.Qa4-b3+ Kf7-f8 32.b2xc3 Rc8-c6= ; 29.Qa4xb4 Ra8-c8+ 30.Bd2-c3 A) 30...d4xc3 31.Qb4xb7+ ( ‹31.b2xc3 b7-b5³ ) 31...Kf7-e8 32.Rg1-e1+ Qf5-e5 33.Re1xe5+ f6xe5 34.Qb7xc8+ Ke8-e7 35.Qc8xh8 c3xb2+ 36.Kc1xb2 Ke7-e6 37.Rh1-h6+ Ke6-f5 38.Qh8xh7+ Kf5-g5 39.Qh7-g7+ Kg5-f4 40.Qg7-f7+ Kf4-e4 41.Rh6-h4+ Ke4-d3 42.Qf7-f3+ Kd3-d2 43.Qf3-e3+ Kd2-d1 44.Rh4-h1# ; B) 30...Qf5-d5+- ;Houdini annotates: 29.Qa4-b3+ Qf5-d5 30.Qb3xb4 h7-h5 31.Rh1-h4 Ra8-d8 32.Kc1-b1 Rd8-d7 33.Rh4-f4 Rh8-g8 34.Rg1xg8 Kf7xg8 35.Rf4xf6 Rd7-f7 36.Rf6-g6+ Kg8-h8 37.Rg6-h6+ Kh8-g8 38.Qb4-d6 Qd5-e4+ 39.Kb1-c1 Rf7xf2 40.Rh6xh5 1.80/10 ] 29...Nb4-d5 [ 29...Qf5-d5 30.Qb3xb4 h7-h5+- ; Houdini annotates: 29...Qf5-d5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+-tr0 9zpp+-+k+p0 157 9zpp+-+k+p0 157 9-+-+-zp-+0 9+-+q+-+-0 9-sn-zp-+-+0 9+Q+-+-+-0 9PzP-vL-zP-+0 c5xd4 30.Qa4-b3+ Kf7-e7 31.Kb1-a1 Ke7-d6 32.Rg1-g7 Nd3-c5 33.Qb3-c4 Rh8-d8 34.Rh1xh7 Ra8-c8 35.Bd2-b4 b7-b6 36.Rg7-e7 Qf5-d5 37.Qc4-c1 1.37/12 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.Qa4-b3++- [ 29.Bd2xb4 is clearly

210

9+-mK-+-tRR0[ 9+-mK-+-tRR0[ xiiiiiiiiy

30.Qb3xb4 h7-h5 31.Rh1-h4 Ra8-d8 32.Kc1-b1 Rd8-d7 33.Rh4-f4 Rh8-g8 34.Rg1xg8 Kf7xg8 35.Rf4xf6 Rd7-f7 36.Rf6-g6+ Kg8-h8 37.Rg6-h6+ Kh8-g8 38.Qb4-d6 Qd5-e4+ 39.Kb1-c1 Rf7xf2 40.Rh6xh5 2.08/11 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Qb3xb7+ [Houdini annotates: 30.Qb3xb7+ Kf7-e6 31.Qb7-c6+ Ke6-f7 32.Rg1-g7+ Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-g7 35.Qa8xa7+ Kg7-f8 36.Qa7-a8+ Kf8-e7 37.Qa8xh8 Ke7-d6 38.Rh1xh7 Qf5-g4 39.Qh8-f8+ Kd6-e5 40.Rh7-h1 Qg4-d7 41.Qf8-c5 d4-d3 42.Rh1-h5+ Ke5-e6 43.Qc5-c4 Qd7-b7 44.Qc4-e4+ Ke6-d6 45.Qe4xd3 8.67/14 ] 30...Kf7-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 30...Kf7-e6 31.Qb7-c6+ Ke6-f7 32.Rg1-g7+ Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-f7 35.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 36.Bd2xh6 Nd5-b6 37.Rh1-e1 Qf5-c8+ 38.Qh8xc8 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+Q+-+-+0{

211 43.Kd3-e2 Qb1xb2 44.Ra7-d7+ Kd6-c5 45.Qe8-c8+ Kc5-d4 43.Kd3-e2 Qb1xb2 44.Ra7-d7+ Kd6-c5 45.Qe8-c8+ Kc5-d4 46.Qc8-a6 7.83/12 ] 31...Ke6-f7 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Ke6-f7 32.Rg1-g7+ Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-f7 35.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 36.Bd2xh6 Nd5-b6 37.Rh1-e1 Qf5-c8+ 38.Qh8xc8 Nb6xc8 39.Re1-d1 Nc8-d6 40.Rd1xd4 Nd6-f5 41.Rd4-d7+ Kf7-e6 42.Rd7-h7 Nf5-e7 43.Bh6-e3 a7-a6 44.Kc1-d2 a6-a5 45.Kd2-e2 Ne7-d5 46.Be3-d2 a5-a4 8.96/16 ] 32.Rg1-g7+!! Decoy: g6 [Houdini annotates: 32.Rg1-g7+ Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-g7 35.Qa8xa7+ Kg7-f8 36.Qa7-a8+ Kf8-e7 37.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 38.Rh1xh6 Ke7-d6 39.Rh6-h7 Kd6-c5 40.Rh7-h5 Qf5-e6 41.Qh8-f8+ Kc5-c6 42.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-c5 43.Qa8-a5+ Diagram

9zp-+-+k+-0 158 9-sn-+-zp-vL0 158 XIIIIIIIIY 9+-+-+-+-0 42.Qf8-a8+ Kc6-c5 43.Qa8-a5+ 9-+-zp-+-+0 Diagram XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ [Houdini annotates: 31.Qb79 9+-+-+-+-0 c6+ Ke6-f7 32.Rg1-g7+ + Kf7xg7 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9+-mK-tR-+-0 + xiiiiiiiiy Nb6xc8 39.Re1-d1 Nc8-d6 + 40.Rd1xd4 Nd6-f5 41.Rd4-d7+ Kf7-e6 42.Rd7-h7 Nf5-e7 43.Bh6-e3 a7-a6 44.Kc1-d2 a6-a5 45.Kd2-e2 Ne7-d5 + 46.Be3-d2 a5-a4 8.96/16 ] 31.Qb7-c6+

212

Levon Aronian's Best Games

-0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+qzp-+0 9wQ-mkn+-+R0 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-vL-zP-+0 9+-mK-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kc5-c6 44.Qa5-a4+ Kc6-c5 45.Qa4-b4+ Kc5-c6 46.Qb4xd4 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-f8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kf8-e7 35.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 36.Rh1xh6 Ke7-d6 37.Rh6-h7 Qf5-g4 38.Qh8-f8+ Kd6-e5 39.Qf8-e8+ Ke5-d6 40.Rh7xa7 Qg4-g1+ 41.Kc1-c2 d4-d3+ 42.Kc2xd3 Qg1-b1+

159 159

8.44/13 ] 32...Kf7xg7 [Houdini annotates: 32...Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-f7 8.44/13 ] 32...Kf7xg7 [Houdini annotates: 32...Kf7xg7 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-f7 35.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 36.Bd2xh6 Kf7-e7 37.Bh6-f8+ Ke7-e6 38.Qh8-g8+ Ke6-d7 39.Qg8-h7+ Qf5xh7

213

Levon Aronian's Best Games 40.Rh1xh7+ Kd7-e6 41.Rh7xa7 Nd5-f4 42.Kc1-d2 Ke6-e5 43.Ra7-a6 Nf4-h3 44.f2-f3 Nh3-g5 45.Bf8-d6+ Ke5-d5 8.72/15 ] 33.Qc6-b7+ [ 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-f8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kf8-f7 35.Qa8xh8+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 33.Qc6-b7+ Kg7-g8 34.Qb7xa8+ Kg8-f7 35.Qa8xh8 h7-h6 36.Rh1xh6 Nd5-e7 37.Qh8-h7+ Kf7-e6 38.Qh7xf5+ Ne7xf5 39.Rh6-h7 Nf5-e7 40.Kc1-c2 a7-a6 41.Kc2-d3 Ne7-c6 42.Rh7-h6 Ke6-f5 43.a2-a3 7.58/12 ] 1-0

28

D43 Levon Aronian Boris Gelfand

Qg5xe7 25.Qb5-a5 Rb8-a8 26.Kg1-g2 Qg5xe7 25.Qb5-a5 Rb8-a8 26.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g8 27.Qa5-c5 Ra8-e8 28.Qc5-c2 0.93/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trl+-tr-mk0{ 9zppvl-wqpzp-0 160 9zppvl-wqpzp-0 160 9-sn-+-+-zp0 9+-+Lzp-+-0 9P+-+-+-sN0 9+-sN-+-zP-0 9-zPQ+PzP-zP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

07.11.2010 19...Bc8-h3 [ 19...Bc8-d7 20.Bd5-g2 a7-a5 21.Nh4-f5± ;Houdini annotates: 19...Bc7-d6 20.Bd5-b3 Bd6-b4 E01: Catalan: Early deviations 19...Bc8-h3 [ 19...Bc8-d7 20.Bd5-g2 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 c7-c6 a7-a5 21.Nh4-f5± ;Houdini annotates: 3.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 4.Nb1-c3 e7-e6 19...Bc7-d6 20.Bd5-b3 Bd6-b4 5.Qd1-d3 Nb8-d7 6.g2-g3 Bf8-d6 21.Qc2-e4 a7-a5 22.Bb3-c2 g7-g6 7.Bf1-g2 0-0 8.0-0 d5xc4 9.Qd3xc4 23.Qe4-e3 Bb4xc3 24.Qe3xc3 Bc8-d7 e6-e5 10.Rf1-d1 Qd8-e7 11.Bc1-g5 25.Nh4-f3 Rb8-c8 26.Qc3xe5+ h7-h6 12.Nf3-h4 White prepares d5 Nd7-b6 13.Bg5xf6 Qe7xf6 14.Qc4-b3 Qe7xe5 27.Nf3xe5 Diagram Tal Memorial (3)

Bd6-c7 15.d4-d5 c6xd5 16.Bg2xd5 Kg8-h8 17.Ra1-c1 Qf6-e7 Standard Book moves end here 18.Qb3-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 18.a2-a4 a7-a5 19.Kg1-g2 Ra8-a6 20.e2-e4 Bc7-b8 21.Nh4-f5 Qe7-f6 22.Qb3-c2 Rf8-d8 23.Bd5-a2 Bc8xf5 24.Rd1xd8+ Qf6xd8 25.e4xf5 0.59/13 ] 18...Ra8-b8 [Houdini annotates: 18...Bc7-b8 19.Bd5-b3 Bc8-d7 20.Nc3-d5 Nb6xd5

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-tr-mk0{ 21.Bb3xd5 Bb8-d6 22.Nh4-f5 9 Bd7xf5 + 23.Qc2xf5 Ra8-d8 24.Bd5-e4 g7-g6 p 25.Qf5-f3 b7-b5 0.73/12 ] 19.a2+ a4 l Diagram [Houdini annotates: + p

214

Levon Aronian's Best Games

+-0 9+p+l+p+-0 9-sn-+-+pzp0 9zp-+-sN-+-0 9P+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-zPL+PzP-zP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

Bd7xa4 0.70/11 ] 20.Bd5-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 20.Bd5-b3 19.Bd5-b3 Bc8-d7 20.Nc3-b5 Bc7-d8 21.Nh4-f5 Qe7-g5 22.Qc2-c5 Bd8-e7 23.Nf5xe7 Bd7xb5 24.Qc5xb5

161 161

Bc7-d8 Bc7-d8 Qc5-c6 Kh8-g8

21.Nh4-f5 Qe7-c5 22.Nf5-d6 21.Nh4-f5 Qe7-c5 22.Nf5-d6 23.Nc3-e4 Qc6xc2 24.Rc1xc2 25.Ne4-c5 Bd8-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 26.Nc5xb7 1.00/11 ] 20...Bh3-e6 [ 20...Bh3xg2 21.Kg1xg2 Qe7-e6 22.a4-a5+- ;Houdini annotates: 20...Bh3xg2 21.Kg1xg2 Bc7-d8 22.a4-a5 Nb6-c8 23.Nh4-f3 Bd8xa5 24.Nc3-d5 Qe7-e8 25.Qc2-c5 e5-e4 26.Qc5xa5 e4xf3+ 27.e2xf3 Qe8-e5 28.Qa5-c3 Rf8-e8 29.Qc3xe5 Re8xe5 0.74/12 ] 21.a4-a5+[ Houdini annotates: 21.a4-a5 Nb6-a8 22.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 23.Nh4-f5 Qe7-b4 24.Rd1xd5 Rb8-d8 25.a5-a6 b7xa6 26.Rd5xd8 Bc7xd8 27.Bg2xa8 Bd8-g5 28.Ba8-d5 Bg5xc1 29.Qc2xc1 a6-a5 30.Kg1-g2 Rf8-d8 31.e2-e4 Kh8-h7 32.Qc1-c2 Rd8-f8 33.b2-b3 Qb4-b6 34.Qc2-c3 1.38/15 ] 21...Nb6-a8 [Houdini annotates: 21...Nb6-d7 22.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 23.Nh4-f5 Qe7-g5 24.Rd1xd5 Nd7-f6 25.Rd5-b5 Nf6-e8 26.h2-h4 Qg5-f6 27.Rb5xb7 Rb8xb7 28.Bg2xb7 Bc7xa5 29.Qc2-c5 Rf8-g8 30.Nf5xg7 Ne8-d6 31.Qc5xa5 Rg8xg7 1.36/12 ] 22.Nc3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 22.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 23.Nh4-f5 Qe7-b4 24.Rd1xd5 Rb8-d8 25.a5-a6 b7xa6 26.Rd5xd8 Bc7xd8 27.Bg2xa8 Bd8-g5 28.Ba8-d5 Bg5xc1 29.Qc2xc1 a6-a5 30.Kg1-g2 Rf8-d8 31.e2-e4 Kh8-h7 32.Qc1-c2 Rd8-f8 33.b2-b3 Qb4-b6 34.Qc2-c3 1.38/14 ] 22...Be6xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 22...Be6xd5 23.Nh4-f5 Qe7-b4 24.Rd1xd5 Bc7xa5 25.Rd5xe5 Na8-b6 26.Re5-e4 Qb4-d2 27.Qc2xd2 Ba5xd2 28.Rc1-c7 Bd2-g5 29.Nf5-d6 Kh8-g8 30.Re4-d4 Bg5-f6 31.Rd4-d2 1.30/12 ] 23.Rd1xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Nh4-f5 Qe7-b4 24.Rd1xd5 Bc7xa5

215

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9n+-tr-tr-mk0{ 9zpp+-+pzp-0 162 9zpp+-+pzp-0 162 9-+-+-+-zp0 9vl-+-tRN+-0 9-wq-+-+-+0 9+-wQ-+-zP-0 9-zP-+PzPLzP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 25.Rd5xe5 Rb8-d8 26.Qc2-c3 Diagram Qb4xc3 27.b2xc3 Ba5-c7 28.Re5-e7 Rd8-e8 29.Re7xe8 Rf8xe8 30.Bg2xb7 Na8-b6 31.Bb7-f3 Nb6-c4 32.Kg1-g2

Levon Aronian's Best Games a7-a5 33.Bf3-d5 1.25/13 ] 23...Qe7-e6 a7-a5 33.Bf3-d5 1.25/13 ] 23...Qe7-e6 [ 23...Qe7-b4 24.Nh4-f5+- ;Houdini 2. 0c : 23...Qe7-b4 24.Nh4-f5 g7-g6 25.Nf5-e3 Bc7xa5 26.Rd5xe5 Na8-b6 27.Rc1-a1 Rf8-c8 28.Qc2-b1 Rc8-c5 29.Re5xc5 Qb4xc5 30.Qb1-a2 Ba5-d2 31.Ne3-f1 Rb8-d8 32.Nf1xd2 Rd8xd2 33.Qa2xf7 Rd2xe2 34.Ra1xa7 Qc5-c1+ 35.Bg2-f1 1.09/13 ] 24.b2-b4 [Houdini annotates: 24.Qc2-f5 Qe6xf5 25.Nh4xf5 g7-g6 26.Nf5xh6 Kh8-g7 27.Nh6-g4 Rf8-d8 28.Rd5xd8 Bc7xd8 29.b2b4 e5-e4 30.Rc1-d1 Bd8-e7 31.Bg2xe4 Be7xb4 32.Rd1-d7 Bb4xa5 33.Be4-d5 Rb8-f8 34.Rd7xb7 Na8-c7 35.Rb7xa7 Nc7xd5 36.Ra7xa5 1.60/13 ] 24...Bc7-d8 [Houdini annotates: 24...Bc7-d6 25.Qc2-f5 Qe6xf5 26.Nh4xf5 Bd6xb4 27.Rc1-b1 Na8-c7 28.Rb1xb4 Nc7xd5 29.Bg2xd5 b7-b5 30.Kg1-g2 a7-a6 31.Nf5-d6 Kh8-g8 32.f2-f4 e5xf4 33.Rb4xf4 Rb8-d8 34.Bd5xf7+ Kg8-h7 1.23/13 ] 25.Nh4-f5 [Houdini annotates: 25.Nh4-f5 g7-g6 26.Nf5-e3 Na8-c7 27.Rd5-d1 Kh8-g7 28.Qc2-b2 Nc7-b5 29.Bg2-d5 Qe6-e7 30.Ne3-g4 Rf8-e8 31.Bd5-c4 a7-a6 32.Bc4xb5 a6xb5 1.29/14 ] 25...g7-g6 [Houdini annotates

216

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 25...Na8-c7 26.Rd5-d6 Qe6-c8 27.Nf5xh6 Nc7-b5 28.Nh6xf7+ 1.81/13 ] 26.Nf5-d6 [ 26.Nf5xh6?! is the weaker alternative Bd8-g5 27.Nh6xf7+ Rf8xf7= ;Houdini annotates: 26.Nf5-e3 Bd8-f6 27.Qc2e4 Kh8-g7 28.Ne3-g4 Rb8-c8 29.Rc1-d1 Na8-c7 30.Ng4xf6 Qe6xf6 31.Rd5-d6 Nc7-e6 32.Qe4xb7 Rc8-c2 33.Bg2-f3 Rc2-b2 34.Qb7xa7 Rb2xb4 1.31/13 ] 26...Na8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 26...Bd8-e7 27.Rc1-d1 Kh8-g7 28.Qc2-c3 f7-f6 29.b4-b5 Rf8-d8 30.Nd6xb7 Rd8xd5 31.Bg2xd5 Qe6-c8 32.Qc3-c6 Na8-c7 33.Bd5-e4 1.43/13 ] 27.Rd5-d1 [ Houdini annotates: 27.Rd5-d3 b7b6 28.a5xb6 a7xb6 29.Qc2-d2 Kh8-h7 30.Bg2-e4 Bd8-g5 31.f2-f4 e5xf4 32.Rc1xc7 f4xg3 33.e2-e3 Bg5-e7 34.Be4-g2 Rb8-d8 1.67/12 ] 27...b7-b6 [Houdini annotates:

27...Kh8-g8 28.Nd6xb7 Bd8-e7 29.Qc2xc7 Rb8-c8 30.Nb7-d8 Rf8xd8 31.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8 32.Qc7xa7 Be7xb4 33.a5-a6 Kg8-g7 34.Qa7-b7 Bb4-a3 35.Rc1-b1 Rd8-d7 36.Qb7-c6 Qe6-f5 1.71/12 ] 28.Nd6-b7 [ 28.a5xb6 a7xb6 29.Qc2-b2 Kh8-h7+- ; Houdini annotates: 28.a5xb6 a7xb6 29.Qc2-b2 Qe6-f6 30.f2-f4 Nc7-e6 31.f4xe5 Qf6-g5 32.Qb2-c3 b6-b5 33.Rd1-d3 Bd8-b6+ 34.e2-e3 Rb8-d8 35.Bg2-f3 2.01/12 ] 28...Nc7-a6 [ 28...Nc7-b5 29.e2-e3+( 29.Nb7xd8?! Rf8xd8 30.a5xb6 a7xb6= );Houdini annotates: 28...Bd8-e7 29.a5xb6 a7xb6 30.Qc2-e4 f7-f5 31.Qe4-d3 Nc7-e8

217 31.e2-e3 Nc7-e8 32.Nb7-c5 Bb6xc5 31.e2-e3 Nc7-e8 32.Nb7-c5 Bb6xc5 33.b4xc5 Ne8-f6 34.Qa4xa7 Rb8-b2 35.Rc1-b1 Rb2-a2 36.Qa7-c7 Rf8-c8 1.36/13 ] 29...Qe6-g4 [Houdini annotates : 29...Qe6-e7 30.Rc1-d1 Bd8-c7 31.Rd6-d7 Qe7xb4 32.Rd7xc7 Na6xc7 33.Qc2xc7 b6xa5 34.Qc7xe5+ f7-f6 35.Qe5-c7 Rb8-c8 36.Qc7-d7 Qb4-b2 37.e2-e3 Rc8-c1 38.Nb7xa5 Rc1xd1+ 39.Qd7xd1 Rf8-c8 40.Na5-c6 1.59/13 ] 30.Qc2-b2 Diagram [ 30.Nb7xd8 Rb8xd8 31.Rd6xd8 Rf8xd8+- ;Houdini annotates: 30.b4-b5 Na6-b4 31.Qc2d2 Bd8-e7 32.a5xb6 a7xb6 33.Bg2-f3 Qg4-g5 34.Qd2xg5 h6xg5 35.Rd6-d7 Rb8-e8 36.Rc1-c7 Be7-d8 37.Nb7xd8 Re8xd8 38.Rd7xd8 Rf8xd8 39.Rc7xf7 Nb4-c2 40.Bf3-c6 Rd8-d2 2.07/13 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-vl-tr-mk0{ 9zpN+-+p+-0 163 9zpN+-+p+-0 163 9nzp-tR-+pzp0 9zP-+-zp-+-0 9-zP-+-+q+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-wQ-+PzPLzP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 32.Rc1-c6 Qe6-f7 33.Bg2-d5 Qf7-g7 34.Rc6xb6 Ne8-f6 35.b4-b5 e5-e4 1.20/12 ] 29.Rd1-d6 [ 29.Nb7xd8?! Rf8xd8 30.a5xb6 Qe6xb6 31.Rd1xd8+ Rb8xd8± ;Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.a5xb6 Bd8xb6 30.Qc2-a4 Na6-c7

218 30...Qg4xb4 [Houdini annotates: 30...Qg4xb4 [Houdini annotates: 30...Bd8-c7 31.Rd6-d2 Qg4-e6 32.b4-b5 Na6-c5 33.Nb7xc5 b6xc5 34.Rc1xc5 Qe6-e7 35.Rd2-c2 Bc7-d6 36.Rc5-c4 Rf8-d8 37.b5-b6 a7xb6 38.a5xb6 1.46/12 ] 31.Qb2xe5+ [ Houdini annotates: 31.Qb2xe5+ Kh8h7 32.Rd6-d7 Bd8-g5 33.Nb7-d6 Rb8-d8 34.Rd7xf7+ Rf8xf7 35.Nd6xf7 Bg5xc1 36.Nf7xd8 Qb4-b2 37.Qe5-d6 Qb2-a1 38.Qd6-d7+ Qa1-g7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 39.Nd8-f7 Bc1-d2 40.Qd7xd2 Qg7xf7 41.a5xb6 a7xb6 42.e2-e4 Qf7-f6 43.Qd2-d5 Na6-c5 44.e4-e5 Qf6-f5 45.Qd5-d6 Qf5-e6 46.Qd6-c7+ Kh7-g8 1.54/16 ] 31...Kh8-h7 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Kh8-h7 32.Rd6-d7 Bd8-g5 33.Nb7-d6 Rb8-d8 34.Rd7xf7+ Rf8xf7 35.Nd6xf7 Bg5xc1 36.Nf7xd8 Bc1-a3 37.a5xb6 a7xb6 38.Bg2-e4 Qb4-e7 39.Nd8-c6 Qe7-g7 40.Kg1-g2 Na6-b4 41.Qe5-e8 Nb4xc6 42.Qe8xc6 1.66/15 ] 32.Rd6-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Bg2-e4 Bd8-c7 33.Be4xg6+ Kh7-g8 34.Qe5-d5 Kg8-g7 35.Rd6-d7 Kg7xg6 36.Qd5-d3+ Kg6-g7 37.Qd3xa6 Bc7-e5 38.Rc1-d1 Kg7-g8 39.Nb7-d6 Rb8-d8 40.Qa6xa7 Qb4xa5 41.Qa7-c7 Rd8xd7 42.Qc7xd7 Be5xd6 43.Rd1xd6 1.82/10 ] 32...Bd8-g5 [Houdini annotates: 32...Bd8-g5 33.Nb7-d6 Rb8-d8 34.Rd7xf7+ Rf8xf7 35.Nd6xf7 Bg5xc1 36.Nf7xd8 Bc1-a3 37.a5xb6 a7xb6 38.Bg2-e4 Qb4-e7 39.Nd8-c6 Qe7-f7 40.Kg1-g2 Ba3-c5 41.Nc6-d4 Na6-c7 42.e2-e3 1.77/14 ] 33.Rc1-d1 [ Houdini annotates: 33.e2-e3 Rb8-e8 34.Rd7xf7+ Rf8xf7 35.Qe5xe8 Qb4-e7 36.Qe8xe7 Bg5xe7 37.Rc1-d1 Na6-c5 38.Nb7xc5 Be7xc5 39.Bg2-d5 Rf7-f8 40.a5xb6 Bc5xb6 41.Kg1-g2 a7-a5 42.Rd1-b1 Rf8-d8 1.39/12 ] 33...Na6-c5? Diagram [ ¹33...Rb8-e8!? 34.Rd7xf7+! Deflection: e8 Rf8xf7 35.Qe5xe8 Rf7-e7+- ;Houdini annotates: 33...Rb8-e8 34.Rd7xf7+ Rf8xf7 35.Qe5xe8 Rf7-e7 36.Qe8-f8 Qb4-a4 37.Rd1-f1 Qa4-e8 38.Qf8xe8 Re7xe8 39.Rf1-d1 Kh7-g7 40.a5xb6 a7xb6 41.f2-f4 Bg5-e7 42.Kg1-f2 Na6-c5

219 43.Nb7-d6 Be7xd6 44.Rd1xd6 b6-b5 1.23/14 ] 34.Nb7xc5 [Houdini annotates: 34.Nb7xc5 Qb4xc5 35.Qe5xc5 b6xc5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

220 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.39/14 ] 36.Rd7xa7 [Houdini annotates : 36.Rd7xa7 c5-c4 37.h2-h4

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-tr-+0 9zpN+R+p+k0 164 9-zp-+-+pzp0 9zP-sn-wQ-vl-0 9-wq-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0

9-+-+PzPLzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 36.Rd7xa7 c5-c4 37.h2-h4 Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.39/16 ] 34...Qb4xc5 [Houdini annotates: 34...Qb4xc5 35.Qe5xc5 b6xc5 36.Rd7xa7 c5-c4 37.h2-h4 Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.67/15 ] 35.Qe5xc5 [Houdini annotates: 35.Qe5xc5 b6xc5 36.Rd7xa7 c5-c4 37.h2-h4 Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.34/15 ] 35...b6xc5 [Houdini annotates: 35...b6xc5 36.Rd7xa7 c5c4 37.h2-h4 Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.34/15 ] 36...c5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 36...c5-c4 37.h2-h4 Bg5-f6 38.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 39.Rd1-d7 Bf6-g7 40.Bg2-e4 h6-h5 41.f2-f3 Kh7-h6 42.Kg1-f2 Bg7-e5 43.f3-f4 Be5-d6 44.Kf2-f3 Rb6-b3+ 45.Kf3-g2 Rf8-e8 46.Rd7xd6 Re8xe4 2.18/14 ] 37.a5-a6 [ Houdini annotates: 37.a5-a6 Rb8-b6 38.f2-f4 Bg5-f6 39.Rd1-d7 Kh7-g8 40.Kg1-f2 c4-c3 41.Bg2-e4 Kg8-g7 42.Be4-d3 Rb6-c6 43.Bd3-c2 Rc6-b6 44.e2-e3 Rb6-b2 2.04/12 ] 37...c4-c3 [ 37...Rb8-b6 is not much help 38.f2-f4 Bg5-f6 39.Rd1-d7+- ; Houdini annotates: 37...Rb8-b6 38.Rd1-d7 c4-c3 39.Rd7-c7 Rb6-b1+ 40.Bg2-f1 Bg5-f6 41.Rc7xf7+ Kh7-g8 42.Rf7xf8+ Kg8xf8 43.Ra7-c7 Rb1-a1 44.e2-e3 h6-h5 45.Kg1-g2 Bf6-e5 46.Rc7-c6 Kf8-e7 47.Bf1-d3 g6-g5 2.00/12 ] 38.Ra7-c7 [Houdini annotates: 38.Ra7-c7 Rb8-c8 39.Rc7xc8 Rf8xc8 40.e2-e3 Rc8-d8 41.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 42.Rc1xc2 Rd8-d1+ 43.Bg2-f1 Rd1-d7 44.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g7 45.Kg2-f3 Bg5-d8 46.Bf1-b5 Rd7-a7 47.Rc2-c8 Bd8-b6 48.Kf3-e4 f7-f5+ 49.Ke4-d3 Kg7-f7 50.Rc8-c6 Ra7-d7+ 51.Kd3-e2 Bb6-a7 52.Bb5-c4+ Kf7-g7 2.90/15 ] 38...Rb8-c8 [ 38...Rb8-b6 does not save the day 39.a6-a7 Rb6-a6 40.a7-a8Q Ra6xa8 41.Bg2xa8 Rf8xa8 42.Rd1-d7+- ;Houdini annotates: 38...Rb8-b2 39.Rc7xc3 Rb2-a2 40.Rc3-c6 Kh7-g7 41.Bg2-d5 Rf8-d8 42.e2-e4 Bg5-f6 43.Rd1-c1 Ra2-a3

221 44.Rc6-c7 Rd8xd5 45.e4xd5 Ra3xa6 46.Rc1-c6 Ra6-a2 47.d5-d6 Bf6-d8 2.93/14 ] 39.Rc7xc8 [Houdini annotates: 39.Rc7xc8 Rf8xc8 40.e2-e3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rc8-d8 41.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 42.Rc1xc2 Rc8-d8 41.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 42.Rc1xc2 Rd8-d1+ 43.Bg2-f1 Rd1-d7 44.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g7 45.Kg2-f3 Bg5-d8 46.Bf1-b5 Rd7-a7 47.Rc2-c8 Bd8-b6 48.Kf3e4 f7-f5+ 49.Ke4-d3 Kg7-f7 50.Rc8c6 Ra7-d7+ 51.Kd3-e2 Bb6-a7 52.Bb5-c4+ Kf7-g7 2.90/15 ] 39...Rf8xc8 [Houdini annotates: 39...Rf8xc8 40.e2-e3 Rc8-d8 41.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 42.Rc1xc2 Rd8-d1+ 43.Bg2-f1 Rd1-d7 44.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g7 45.Kg2-f3 Bg5-d8 46.Bf1-b5 Rd7-a7 47.Rc2-c8 Bd8-b6 48.Kf3-e4 f7-f5+ 49.Ke4-d5 h6-h5 50.Rc8-b8 Bb6-c7 51.Rb8-e8 Kg7-f7 2.80/16 ] 40.e2-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 40.e2-e3 Rc8-d8 41.Rd1-c1 c3-c2 42.Rc1xc2 Rd8-d1+ 43.Bg2-f1 Rd1-d7 44.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g7 45.Kg2-f3 Bg5-d8 46.Bf1-b5 Rd7-a7 47.Rc2-c8 Bd8-b6 48.Kf3e4 f7-f5+ 49.Ke4-d3 Kg7-f7 50.Rc8c6 Ra7-d7+ 51.Kd3-e2 Bb6-a7 52.Bb5-c4+ Kf7-g7 2.68/17 ] 40...Bg5-e7 [ 40...Rc8-c7 desperation 41.Bg2-b7 c3-c2+- ;Houdini annotates: 40...c3-c2 41.Rd1-c1 Rc8-d8 42.Rc1xc2 Rd8-d1+ 43.Bg2-f1 Rd1-d7 44.Rc2-c8 Bg5-e7 45.Kg1-g2 Kh7-g7 46.Kg2-f3 f7-f5 47.Rc8-c6 Rd7-a7 48.Bf1-c4 Be7-d8 49.h2-h4 Ra7-c7 50.Rc6-d6 Rc7xc4 51.Rd6xd8 Rc4-c7 2.65/15 ] 41.Rd1-c1 Diagram [ 41.Rd1-c1 Be7-a3 42.Rc1-c2+- ; Houdini annotates: 41.Rd1-c1 Rc8-c7 42.Bg2-b7 c3-c2 43.Kg1-g2 Be7-a3 44.Rc1xc2 Rc7xc2 45.a6-a7 Ba3-c5 46.a7-a8Q Bc5xe3 47.Qa8-f8 Rc2xf2+ 48.Kg2-h3 h6-h5 49.Bb7-d5 Be3-h6 50.Qf8-c5 Rf2-f5 51.Kh3-g2

222 Kh7-g8 52.Qc5-c6 Bh6-g7 53.Bd5-c4 Kg8-h7 54.Qc6-d7 Kh7-g8 55.Qd7-e7 3.39/17 ] 1-0

223

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+-+0{ 9+-+-vlp+k0 165 9P+-+-+pzp0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-zp-zP-zP-0 9-+-+-zPLzP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

29

21...Qe7-c5+ 22.Kc2-b1 Ra8-b8 21...Qe7-c5+ 22.Kc2-b1 Ra8-b8 23.Qb3-c2 Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-f1 Qd5xh1 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-trk+0 9zp-zp-+-vlp0 166 9-+p+-+p+0 166 9+-+-+p+-0 9-+-+-zp-+0 9zP-+-+-zP-0 9-zPQsNl+-zP0

Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Ra1-b1 g5-g4 34.Rb1-b7 h7-h5 35.Bf1-d3 Qf4-a4+ 36.Rb7-b3 -7.42/12 ] C45 21...Qe7-c5+ [Houdini annotates:

Boris Savchenko Levon Aronian World Blitz Championship (12.136).11.2010 C45: Scotch Game 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.d2-d4 e5xd4 4.Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6 5.Nd4xc6 b7xc6 6.e4-e5 Qd8-e7 7.Qd1-e2 Nf6-d5 8.c2-c4 Bc8-a6 9.Qe2-e4 Nd5-f6 10.Qe4-e2 Nf6-d5 11.Nb1-d2 g7-g6 12.g2-g3 Bf8-g7 13.f2-f4 0-0 14.Bf1-h3 d7-d6 15.Qe2-e4 f7-f5 16.Qe4-f3 Nd5-b4 17.Qf3-b3 d6xe5 18.a2-a3 e5xf4+ 19.Ke1-d1 Nb4-d5 20.c4xd5 Ba6-e2+ last book move 21.Kd1-c2 last book move [Houdini annotates: 21.Kd1-c2 Qe7-c5+ 22.Kc2-b1 Ra8-b8 23.Qb3-c2 Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-f1 Qd5xh1 25.Bf1xe2 Rb8xb2+ 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games

9tRKvL-+L+q0[ 9tRKvL-+L+q0[ xiiiiiiiiy

25.Bf1xe2 Rb8xb2+ 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Ra1-b1 Rd8xd2+ 33.Bc1xd2 Qf4xc4+ 34.Bd2-c3+ Kg7-f7 35.Rb1-b7 Qc4-e4+ 36.Kc2-d2 Qe4-d5+ 37.Kd2-e2 Qd5-c4+ 38.Ke2-d2 Qc4-f4+ 39.Kd2-e2 a7-a6 40.Ke2-d3 h7-h5 -6.52/13 ] 22.Kc2-b1 [Houdini annotates: 22.Kc2-b1 Ra8-b8 23.Qb3-c2 Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-g2 Qd5xg2 25.Rh1-e1 f4-f3 26.Ra1-a2 Be2-a6 27.b2-b4 f3-f2 28.Re1-e7 Rf8-e8 29.Re7-d7 Re8-d8 30.Rd7xg7+ Diagram (Diagram 167) Kg8xg7 31.Qc2-c5 Kg7g8 32.Qc5xa7 f2-f1Q 33.Nd2xf1 Ba6-d3+ 34.Kb1-a1 Qg2xf1 35.Qa7-c5 -6.86/16 ] 22...Ra8-b8 [Houdini annotates: 22...Ra8-b8 23.Qb3-c2 Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-g2 Qd5xg2 25.Rh1-e1 f4-f3 26.a3-a4 Be2-a6 27.Ra1-a3 f3-f2 28.Re1-e7 f2-f1Q 29.Nd2xf1 Qg2xf1

224

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-tr-+k+0{ 9zp-zp-+-tRp0 167 9l+p+-+p+0 167 9+-+-+p+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9zP-+-+-zP-0 9R+QsN-zpqzP0 9+KvL-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 30.Ra3-b3 Rb8xb3 31.Qc2xb3+ Ba6-c4 -5.96/12 ] 23.Qb3-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Qb3-c2 Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-g2 Qd5xg2 25.Rh1-e1 f4-f3 26.Ra1-a2 Be2-a6 27.b2-b4 f3-f2 28.Re1-e7 Rf8-e8 29.Re7xc7 f2-f1Q 30.Nd2xf1 Qg2xf1 31.Rc7xg7+ Kg8xg7 32.Qc2xc6 Ba6-d3+ 33.Kb1-a1 Bd3-e4 34.Qc6-c7+ Kg7-g8 35.Ra2-d2 -6.66/13 ] 23...Qc5xd5 [Houdini annotates: 23...Qc5xd5 24.Bh3-g2 Qd5xg2 25.Rh1-e1 f4-f3 26.Ra1-a2 Be2-a6 27.b2-b4 f3-f2 28.Re1-e7 Rf8-e8 29.Re7xc7 f2-f1Q 30.Nd2xf1 Qg2xf1 31.Rc7xg7+ Kg8xg7 32.Qc2xc6 Ba6-d3+ 33.Kb1-a1 Bd3-e4 34.Qc6-c7+ Kg7-g8 35.Ra2-d2 -6.34/12 ] 24.Bh3-f1 [Houdini annotates: 24.Bh3-g2 Qd5xg2 25.Rh1-e1 f4-f3 26.Ra1-a2 Be2-a6 27.b2-b4 f3-f2 28.Re1-e7 Rf8-e8 29.Re7xc7 f2-f1Q 30.Nd2xf1 Qg2xf1 31.Rc7xg7+ Kg8xg7 32.Qc2xc6 Ba6-d3+

225 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 h5-h4 41.Re1-f1 Qa2-d5 42.Nd2-c4 Rb8-f8 43.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g5 44.Bd3-c4 Qd5-g2 45.Bc3-b4 Rf8-f6 -7.40/15 ] 25.Bf1xe2 [Houdini annotates: 25.Bf1xe2 Rb8xb2+ 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-trk+0{ 9zp-zp-+-+p0 168 9zp-zp-+-+p0 168 9-+p+-+p+0 9+-+-+p+-0 9-+L+-zp-+0 9zP-+-+-zP-0 9-mK-sN-+-wq0 9tR-vL-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 33.Kb1-a1 Bd3-e4 34.Qc6-c7+ Kg7-g8 35.Ra2-d2 -6.88/13 ] 24...Qd5xh1 [Houdini annotates: 24...Qd5xh1 25.Bf1xe2 Rb8xb2+ 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 h5-h4 41.Re1-f1 Qa2-d5 42.Nd2-c4 Rb8-f8 43.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g5 44.Bd3-c4 Qd5-g2 45.Bc3-b4 Rf8-f6 -7.40/16 ] 25...Rb8xb2+ [Houdini annotates : 25...Rb8xb2+ 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Ra1-b1 Rd8xd2+ 33.Bc1xd2 Qf4xc4+ 34.Bd2-c3+ Kg7-f7 35.Rb1-b7 Qc4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 h7-h5

226

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Rb7xc7+ -6.14/9 ] 26.Qc2xb2 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Qc2xb2 Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 h5-h4 41.Re1-f1 Qa2-d5 42.Nd2-c4 Rb8-f8 43.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g5 44.Bd3-c4 Qd5-g2 45.Bc3-b4 Rf8-f6 -7.31/1 ] 26...Bg7xb2 [Houdini annotates: 26...Bg7xb2 27.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 h5-h4 41.Re1-f1 Qa2-d5 42.Nd2-c4 Rb8-f8 43.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g5 44.Bd3-c4 Qd5-g2 45.Bc3-b4 Rf8-f6 -6.78/16 ] 27.Kb1xb2 [ 27.Be2-c4+ doesn't do any good Kg8-g7 28.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8-+ ;Houdini annotates: 27.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 28.Kb1xb2 Qh1xh2 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 h5-h4 41.Re1-f1 Qa2-d5 42.Nd2-c4 Rb8-f8 43.Nc4-e5+ Kg6-g5 44.Bd3-c4 Qd5-g2 45.Bc3-b4 Rf8-f6 -6.37/17 ] 27...Qh1xh2 [Houdini annotates: 27...Qh1xh2 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3

227 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 Qa2-a3+ 41.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a4+ 42.Kc2-c1 h5-h4 43.Re1-e6+ Kg6-g5 44.Bc3-f6+ Kg5-h5 45.Bd3xf5 h4-h3 46.Bf6-e5 Qa4-b5 47.Kc1-d1 Qb5-d5 -5.93/17 ] 28.Be2-c4+ [Houdini annotates: 28.Be2-c4+ Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 Qa2-a3+ 41.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a4+ 42.Kc2-c1 Kg6-g5 43.Re1-f1 Qa4-a3+ 44.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 45.Kc2-d1 -5.96/17 ] 28...Kg8-g7 [Houdini annotates: 28...Kg8-g7 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-f1 g6-g5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 34.Bb2-c3 g5-g4 35.Ra1-e1 Qf4-a4+ 36.Kc2-b2 Rd8-b8+ 37.Kb2-c1 Qa4xa3+ 38.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a2+ 39.Kc2-c1 h7-h5 40.Bf1-d3 Qa2-a3+ 41.Kc1-c2 Qa3-a4+ 42.Kc2-c1 h5-h4 43.Re1-e6+ Kg6-g5 44.Bc3-f6+ Kg5-h5 45.Bd3xf5 h4-h3 46.Bf6-e5 -5.93/17 ] 29.g3xf4 [Houdini annotates: 29.g3xf4 Rf8-d8 30.Kb2c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4a2 h7-h5 33.Ra1-b1 h5-h4 34.Rb1-b3 g6-g5 35.Rb3-b4 Qf4-h2 36.Rb4b7 g5-g4 37.Rb7xa7 h4-h3 38.a3a4 Kg7-g6 39.a4-a5 Qh2-d6 40.Nd2-c4 Qd6-d1+ 41.Kc2-b1 Rd8-b8+ 42.Nc4-b2 Qd1-d3+ -6.14/14 ] 29...Rf8-d8 [Houdini annotates: 29...Rf8-d8 30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-a2 h7-h5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-h6 34.Bb2-c3 h5-h4

228 35.Ra1-h1 g6-g5 36.Rh1-h3 c6-c5 37.Ba2-e6 Diagram Qf4-f2 38.Rh3-h1 Qf2-g2 39.Rh1-e1 f5-f4 40.Be6-f7 Rd8-d6 -6.06/15 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-+0{ 9zp-zp-+-+-0 169 9-+-+L+-mk0 169 9+-zp-+pzp-0 9-+-+-wq-zp0 9zP-vL-+-+R0 9-+KsN-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 30.Kb2-c2 [Houdini annotates:

30.Kb2-c3 Qh2-g3+ 31.Kc3-c2 Qg3xf4 32.Bc4-a2 h7-h5 33.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-h6 34.Bb2-c3 h5-h4 35.Ra1-f1 Qf4-d6 36.Rf1-f3 g6-g5 37.Rf3-h3 f5-f4 38.Ba2-c4 Qd6-c5 39.Kc2-b3 Rd8-b8+ 40.Kb3-c2 Qc5xa3 -6.08/16 ] 30...Rd8-d4 [ 30...Qh2xf4 makes it even easier for Black 31.Bc4-a2 g6-g5 32.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-g6 33.Bb2-c3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 30...Qh2xf4 31.Bc4-a2 h7-h5 32.Bc1-b2+ Kg7-h6 33.Bb2-c3 h5-h4 34.Ra1-f1 Qf4-h2 35.Ba2-c4 c6-c5 36.Rf1-e1 h4-h3 37.Re1-e7 Qh2-d6 38.Bc3-g7+ Kh6-g5 39.Re7-e2 Qd6-g3 40.Bg7-e5 Qg3xa3 41.Be5xc7 Qa3-a4+ 42.Bc4-b3 -5.68/13 ] 31.Bc4-b3 [ 31.Bc4-f1 doesn't improve anything Qh2xf4 32.Ra1-b1 g6-g5-+ ; Houdini annotates: 31.Bc4-d3 Qh2-g3 32.Bd3-f1 Qg3xf4 33.Ra1-b1 c6-c5 34.Nd2-b3 Qf4-f2+ 35.Kc2-c3 h7-h5 36.Bc1-b2 Rd4-g4 37.Nb3-d2

229 34.Rb1-b3 Rd4xd2+ 35.Bc1xd2 34.Rb1-b3 Rd4xd2+ 35.Bc1xd2 Qf4-e4+ 36.Kc2-d1 Qe4xe6 37.Rb3-b7 a7-a6 38.Rb7xc7+ Kg7-f6 39.Rc7-h7 Qe6-b3+ 40.Kd1-e2 h4-h3 39.Rc7-h7 Qe6-b3+ 40.Kd1-e2 h4-h3 41.a3-a4 Qb3-g3 42.Bd2-e3 h3-h2 -6.67/14 ] 32.Ra1-b1 [ 32.Ra1-a2 doesn't get the bull off the ice Qh2xf4 33.Kc2-b1 h7-h5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 32.Bb3-a2 Qh2xf4 33.Ra1-b1 h7-h5 34.Rb1-b3 g6-g5 35.Rb3-c3 g5-g4 36.Nd2-b3 Qf4-e4+ 37.Kc2-b2 Rd4-c4 38.Nb3-d2 Qe4-b7+ 39.Rc3-b3 Qb7-g2 40.Rb3-b5 Rc4-d4 41.Kb2-c2 Qg2-c6 42.Rb5-b8 h5-h4 43.Rb8-g8+ Kg7-f6 44.Rg8-f8+ Kf6-g6 45.Rf8-g8+ Kg6-h7 46.Rg8-f8 f5-f4 h5-h4 38.Kc3-c2+ Kg7-h6 39.Bb2-e5 Qf2-e3 -4.73/13 ] 31...c6-c5 [ 31...Qh2xf4 seems even better 32.Ra1-b1 h7-h5 33.Bb3-a2-+ ; Houdini annotates: 31...h7-h5 32.Ra1-b1 h5-h4 33.Bb3-e6 Qh2xf4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 47.Rf8-f7+ Kh7-g6 48.Bc1-b2 c5-c4 47.Rf8-f7+ Kh7-g6 48.Bc1-b2 c5-c4 49.Bb2xd4 Diagram

230

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9zp-zp-+R+-0 170 9-+q+-+k+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+pvL-zppzp0 9zP-+-+-+-0 9L+KsN-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg6xf7 50.Ba2xc4+ Kf7-g6 51.Bd4xa7 -6.36/14 ] 32...c5-c4 [ Houdini annotates: 32...c5-c4 33.Kc2-c3 Qh2xf4 34.Nd2xc4 Qf4-e4 35.Kc3-b2 Rd4xc4 36.Bb3xc4 Qe4xc4 37.Bc1-d2 f5-f4 38.Rb1-c1 Qc4-b5+ 39.Bd2-b4 Qb5-b6 40.Kb2-c2 g6-g5 41.Rc1-b1 Qb6-g6+ 42.Kc2-b2 g5-g4 43.Rb1-c1 Qg6-b6 44.Rc1-c4 Qb6-f2+ 45.Rc4-c2 Qf2-d4+ 46.Bb4-c3 -6.81/16 ] 33.Bb3-a2 [ 33.Kc2-c3 hardly improves anything Rd4d3+

231

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Kc3xc4 Rd3xd2 35.Bc1xd2 Qh2xd2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 33.Kc2-c3 Qh2xf4 34.Nd2xc4 Qf4-e4 35.Kc3-b2 Rd4xc4 36.Bb3xc4 Qe4xc4 37.Bc1-d2 f5-f4 38.Rb1-c1 Qc4-b5+ 39.Bd2-b4 Qb5-b6 40.Kb2-c2 g6-g5 41.Kc2-d3 h7-h5 42.Bb4-c5 Qb6-b3+ 43.Kd3-e4 Qb3-b7+ 44.Ke4-d3 h5-h4 45.Bc5-d4+ Kg7-g6 -6.57/14 ] 33...Qh2-e2 [Houdini annotates: 33...Qh2-e2 34.Rb1-b4 Qe2-d3+ 35.Kc2-d1 Rd4xf4 36.Kd1-e1 Qd3-c2 37.Bc1-b2+ c4-c3 38.Bb2xc3+ Qc2xc3 39.Rb4xf4 Qc3-e3+ 40.Ke1-d1 Qe3xf4 41.Kd1-e2 Qf4-h2+ 42.Ke2-d3 Qh2-g3+ 43.Kd3-e2 Qg3xa3 44.Ba2-c4 Qa3-e7+ 45.Ke2-f2 f5-f4 46.Bc4-e2 Qe7-c5+ 47.Kf2-e1 h7-h5 48.Nd2-f3 -9.72/13 ] 34.Kc2-c3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Rb1-b4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9zp-zp-+-mkp0 171 9-+-+-+p+0 171 9+-+-+p+-0 9-tRptr-zP-+0 9zP-+-+-+-0 9L+KsNq+-+0 9+-vL-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qe2-d3+ 35.Kc2-d1 Rd4xf4

36.Kd1-e1 Qd3-c2 37.Bc1-b2+ c4-c3 38.Bb2xc3+ Qc2xc3 39.Rb4xf4

Double attack: a3/c3 [ 34...Rd4xd2 Double attack: a3/c3 [ 34...Rd4xd2 35.Bc1xd2 Qe2-d3+ 36.Kc3-b2 Qd3xd2+ 37.Kb2-a1 c4-c3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 34...Rd4xd2 35.Bc1xd2 Qe2-d3+ 36.Kc3-b2 Qd3xd2+ 37.Kb2-a1 c4-c3 38.Ba2-b3 c3-c2 39.Bb3xc2 Qd2xc2 40.Rb1-b5 Qc2-c1+ 41.Ka1-a2 Qc1xf4 42.Ka2-b3 h7-h5 43.Rb5-d5 h5-h4 44.Rd5-d7+ Kg7-f6 45.Rd7-h7 g6-g5 46.Rh7-h6+ Kf6-g7 47.Rh6-e6 h4-h3 48.Re6-e7+ Kg7-f6 49.Re7-e8 g5-g4 50.Re8-f8+ Kf6-e6 51.Rf8-e8+ Ke6-d6 52.Re8-d8+ Kd6-e7 53.Rd8-d1 h3-h2 -12.72/14 ] 0-1

30

A29

Levon Aronian Anish Giri 20th Amber Tournament (Blindfold) (1) A29: English Opening: Four Knights Variation with 4 g3 Variation with 4 g3 1.c2-c4 Ng8-f6 2.Nb1-c3 e7-e5 3.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 4.g2-g3 Nc6-d4 5.Bf1-g2 Nd4xf3+ 6.Bg2xf3 Bf8-b4 7.Qd1-b3 Bb4-c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.Nc3-a4 Bc5-e7 10.d2-d4 e5xd4 11.Rf1-d1 c7-c5 12.e2-e3 d4xe3 13.Bc1xe3 Qd8-c7 14.Na4-c3 a7-a6 15.g3-g4 h7-h6 16.h2-h4 d7-d6 17.g4-g5 h6xg5 Standard Book moves end here 18.h4xg5 [Houdini annotates: 18.h4xg5 Nf6-h7 19.Nc3-d5 Qc7-d8 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Rf8-f6 Qc3-e3+ 40.Ke1-d1 Qe3xf4 41.Kd1-e2 Qf4-h2+ 42.Ke2-d3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qh2-g3+ 43.Kd3-e2 Qg3xa3 44.Ba2-c4 Qa3-e7+ 45.Ke2-f2 f5-f4 46.Bc4-e2 Qe7-c5+ 47.Kf2-e1 h7-h5 48.Nd2-f3 -9.87/14 ] 34...Rd4xd2!

232 22.Bf3xb7 Bc8xb7 23.Qb3xb7 Rf6-f7 22.Bf3xb7 Bc8xb7 23.Qb3xb7 Rf6-f7 24.Nf4xg6 Be7-g5 25.Qb7-g2 Bg5xe3 26.f2xe3 Qd8-e8 27.Rd1-d3 Ra8-b8 28.Ra1-d1 Nh7-f8 29.Ng6-f4 Qe8-e5 30.b2-b3 Nf8-e6 31.Nf4xe6 Qe5xe6 32.Rd3xd6 Qe6xe3+ 33.Kg1-h2 0.16/18 ] 18...Nf6-h7 Black threatens to win material: Nh7xg5 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games : 18...Nf6-g4 19.Be3-f4 Rf8-e8 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nc3-d5 Qc7-d8 22.Nd5xe7+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqr+k+0{ 9+p+-sN-zp-0 172 9p+-zp-+p+0 172 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+P+-vLn+0 9+Q+-+L+-0 9PzP-+-zP-+0 9tR-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qd8xe7 23.Bf4xd6 Qe7-f6 24.Qb3-c3 Qf6xc3 25.b2xc3 Ng4-f6 26.Bd6xc5 Nf6-e4 27.Bc5-d4 g6-g5 28.Rd1-e1 Bc8-f5 29.Ra1-b1 0.32/16 ] 19.Nc3-d5 White threatens to win material: Nd5xc7 [Houdini annotates: 19.Nc3-d5 Qc7-d8 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Rf8-f6 22.Bf3xb7 Bc8xb7 23.Qb3xb7 Rf6-f7 24.Nf4xg6 Be7-g5 25.Qb7-g2 Bg5xe3 26.f2xe3 Qd8-e8 27.Rd1-d3 Ra8-b8 28.Ra1-d1 Nh7-f8 29.Ng6-f4 Qe8-e5 30.b2-b3 Nf8-e6 31.Nf4xe6 Qe5xe6 32.Rd3xd6 Qe6xe3+ 33.Kg1-h2 0.16/17 ] 19...Qc7-d8 Black has a cramped position [Houdini annotates: 19...Qc7-d8 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Rf8-f6 22.Bf3xb7 Bc8xb7 23.Qb3xb7 Ra8-b8 24.Qb7-d5+ Kg8-h8 25.Qd5-e4 Nh7-f8 26.b2-b3 g6-g5 27.Nf4-d5 Rf6-e6 28.Qe4-f5 Qd8-d7 29.Ra1-b1 Rb8-e8 30.b3-b4 c5xb4

233 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Rf8-f6 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Rf8-f6 22.Bf3xb7 Bc8xb7 23.Qb3xb7 Ra8-b8 24.Qb7-d5+ Kg8-h8 25.Qd5-e4 Nh7-f8 26.b2-b3 g6-g5 27.Nf4-d5 Rf6-e6 28.Qe4-f5 Be7-f6 29.Ra1-c1 Re6-e8 30.Rd1-e1 Nf8-e6 0.16/16 ] 20...Ra8-b8 [Houdini annotates: 20...Ra8-b8 [Houdini annotates: 20...Ra8-b8 21.g5-g6 f7xg6 22.Be3xc5 Nh7-g5 23.Bf3-d5+ Bc8-e6 24.Bd5xe6+ Ng5xe6 25.Bc5-e3 Be7-h4 26.c4-c5 Qd8-f6 27.Rd1-d2 Rb8-d8 28.c5xd6 Rf8-f7 29.Nb6-d5 Qf6-f5 30.Nd5-e7+ Bh4xe7 31.d6xe7 Qf5-g4+ 32.Kg1-f1 Rd8-e8 33.Qb3xb7 Qg4-c4+ 34.Kf1-g1 Re8xe7 0.09/17 ] 21.Be3xc5 [Houdini annotates: 21.g5-g6 f7xg6 22.Be3xc5 Nh7-g5 23.Bf3-d5+ Bc8-e6 24.Bd5-g2 Be6-g4 31.Rb1xb4 Be7-f6 32.Qf5-h3+ Kh8-g8 0.09/17 ] 20.Nd5-b6 White threatens to win material: Nb6xa8 [ 20.g5-g6 f7xg6 21.Nd5-f4 Qd8-e8= ;Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25.Bc5-d4 Ng5-f3+ 26.Bg2xf3 Rf8xf3 25.Bc5-d4 Ng5-f3+ 26.Bg2xf3 Rf8xf3 27.Rd1-d3 Rf3xd3 28.Qb3xd3 Bg4-f5 29.Qd3-b3 Be7-f6 30.Bd4xf6 Qd8xf6 31.Ra1-e1 Qf6-g5+ 32.Qb3-g3 Qg5xg3+ 33.f2xg3 -0.22/14 ] 21...Nh7xg5 [Houdini annotates: 21...Bc8-f5 22.g5-g6 Bf5xg6 23.Bf3-g2 Nh7-f6 24.Qb3-g3 Nf6-e4 25.Bg2xe4 Bg6xe4 26.Bc5xd6 Qd8xb6 27.Bd6xb8 Qb6-h6 28.Qg3-h2 Qh6-g5+ 29.Bb8-g3 f7-f5 30.Rd1-e1 Qg5-g6 31.Re1xe4 f5xe4 32.Ra1-d1 Be7-c5 33.Kg1-h1 Qg6-b6 34.Rd1-d2 -0.21/16 ] 22.Bf3-g2 Black has a cramped position [ Houdini annotates: 22.Bc5-d4 Ng5xf3+ 23.Qb3xf3 Rf8-e8 24.Nb6-d5 Bc8-e6 25.Qf3-g2 g7-g6 26.Nd5xe7+ Qd8xe7 27.Qg2-h2 f7f6 28.Qh2-f4 Kg8-g7 29.Bd4-c3 Rb8-c8 30.b2b3 d6-d5 -0.31/16 ] 22...Bc8-g4 Black threatens to win material: Bg4xd1 [Houdini annotates: 22...Bc8f5 Diagram 23.Qb3-g3 Ng5-e4 24.Bg2xe4 Bf5xe4 25.Bc5xd6 Qd8xb6 26.Bd6xb8 Qb6-h6 27.Qg3-h2 Qh6-g5+

234

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-wq-trk+0 9+p+-vlpzp-0 173 9psN-zp-+-+0 9+-vL-+lsn-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+Q+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPL+0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 28.Bb8-g3 Be7-f6 29.Rd1-e1 Qg5-f5 30.Ra1-d1 Be4-f3 31.Rd1-b1 Rf8-c8 32.b2-b3 Bf6-c3 33.Bg3-d6 Bc3xe1 34.Rb1xe1 Rc8-d8 35.c4-c5 Bf3-c6 36.Qh2-h4 Rd8-c8 37.Qh4-f4 Qf5-d5 38.f2-f3 Qd5xf3 39.Qf4xf3 Bc6xf3 -0.30/16 ] 23.Rd1-d2 Black has a cramped position [ 23.Rd1-d5 Qd8-c7 ( ‹23...d6xc5 24.Rd5xd8 Rf8xd8 25.Qb3-g3± ) 24.Qb3-g3 Ng5-e6 25.Bc5xd6 Be7xd6 26.Rd5xd6 Rb8-d8 27.Rd6xd8 Rf8xd8 28.Qg3xc7 Ne6xc7² ;Houdini annotates: 23.Rd1-d5 Bg4-e6 24.Rd5-d1 f7-f5 25.Bc5-d4 Be7-f6 26.Qb3-b4 Ng5-e4 27.f2-f3 Ne4-c5 28.Bd4xc5 d6xc5 29.Qb4xc5 Qd8-e8 30.f3-f4 Bf6xb2 31.Ra1-b1 Bb2-f6 32.Nb6-d5 Qe8-h5 33.Rd1-e1 Be6xd5 34.Bg2xd5+ Kg8-h7 -0.20/16 ] 23...Ng5-e6³ Black threatens to win material: Ne6xc5 [ 23...d6xc5? is tempting but does not stand up to the reality of the position 24.Rd2xd8 Rf8xd8 25.Qb3-g3+- ; Houdini annotates: 23...Bg4-f5 24.Bc5-e3 Bf5-e4 25.c4-c5 Be4xg2 26.Kg1xg2 Ng5-e4 27.Rd2-d1 Be7-g5

235 28.c5xd6 Bg5xe3 29.Qb3xe3 Ne4xd6 30.Qe3-c5 Nd6-e4 31.Rd1xd8 Ne4xc5 32.Rd8xf8+ Rb8xf8 33.Ra1-d1 f7-f5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Rd1-d5 Nc5-e6 35.Rd5-d7 Rf8-f7 34.Rd1-d5 Nc5-e6 35.Rd5-d7 Rf8-f7 36.Rd7-d6 Ne6-f4+ 37.Kg2-g3 -0.26/16 ] 24.Bc5-a3 [Houdini annotates : 24.Bc5-e3 Be7-g5 25.Be3xg5 Qd8xg5 26.Qb3-e3 Rf8-e8 27.Qe3xg5 Ne6xg5 28.Rd2xd6 Re8-e2 29.b2-b3 Rb8-e8 30.Rd6-d3 Bg4-f5 31.Rd3-g3 Ng5-e4 32.Rg3-e3 Re2xe3 33.f2xe3 g7-g6 34.Ra1-d1 Kg8-g7 35.Nb6-d5 Re8-h8 36.Rd1-d4 Rh8-h4 37.Kg1-f1 -0.21/17 ] 24...Ne6-f4 [Houdini annotates: 24...Rf8-e8 25.Qb3-g3 Qd8xb6 26.Qg3xg4 Rb8-d8 27.Ra1-d1 Qb6-c7 28.Rd2-d5 Ne6-c5 29.Qg4-g3 b7-b6 30.Rd5-f5 Qc7-d7 31.Rf5-h5 Be7-f6 32.Bg2-d5 Re8-e2 33.Ba3xc5 d6xc5 -0.22/16 ] 25.c4-c5? [ ¹25.Ra1-e1!?³ and White has air to breath ;Houdini 2. 0c : 25.Nb6-d5 Nf4xd5 26.Bg2xd5 Bg4-f5 27.Qb3-f3 Qd8-d7 28.Ra1-e1 Be7-g5 29.Rd2-d4 Bg5-f6 30.Rd4-f4 g7-g6 31.Rf4xf5 Qd7xf5 32.Qf3xf5 g6xf5 33.Ba3xd6 Bf6xb2 34.Bd6xb8 Rf8xb8 -0.28/14 ] 25...Be7-h4-+ [Houdini annotates: 25...Be7-h4 26.Nb6-d5 Bg4-e6 27.Qb3-b6 Nf4xg2 28.Qb6xd8 Rf8xd8 29.Kg1xg2 d6xc5 30.Ra1-d1 Rb8-c8 31.f2-f3 Rd8-e8 32.b2-b3 Be6-f5 33.Kg2-g1 Re8-e6 34.Rd2-g2 f7-f6 35.Rg2-h2 Bh4-g3 36.Rh2-g2 Bg3-e5 37.Ba3-b2 -2.74/17 ] 26.Nb6-d5 [ 26.Qb3-e3 Nf4xg2 27.Kg1xg2 Rf8-e8 28.Rd2xd6 Re8xe3 29.Rd6xd8+ Rb8xd8 ( 29...Bh4xd8?! 30.f2xe3 Bd8-g5 31.Nb6-d5µ ) 30.f2xe3 Rd8-d2+ 31.Kg2-g1 Bg4-f3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 26.Nb6-d5 Bg4-e6 27.Qb3-b6 Nf4xg2 28.Qb6xd8 Rf8xd8 29.Kg1xg2 d6xc5 30.Ra1-d1

236 Rb8-c8 31.f2-f3 Rd8-e8 32.b2-b3 b7-b5 33.Rd2-e2 Be6-f5 34.Re2xe8+ Rc8xe8 35.Ba3xc5 Re8-e2+ 36.Kg2-g1 Re2xa2 37.Nd5-e7+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bh4xe7 38.Bc5xe7 Ra2-e2 39.Be7-d6 -2.64/14 ] 26...Bg4-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 26...Bg4-e6 27.Qb3-b6 Nf4xg2 28.Qb6xd8 Rf8xd8 29.Kg1xg2 d6xc5 30.Ra1-d1 Rb8-c8 31.f2-f3 Rd8-e8 32.b2-b3 b7-b5 33.Rd2-e2 Be6-f5 34.Re2xe8+ Rc8xe8 35.Ba3xc5 Re8-e2+ 36.Kg2-g1 Re2xa2 37.Nd5-e7+ Bh4xe7 38.Bc5xe7 Ra2-e2 39.Be7-d6 -2.28/15 ] 27.Qb3-e3? [ 27.Ra1-d1 Qd8-g5 28.Qb3-f3 Nf4-h3+ ( 28...Qg5xg2+?! 29.Qf3xg2 Nf4xg2 30.Kg1xg2µ ; 28...Nf4xd5?! 29.Rd2xd5 Be6xd5 30.Rd1xd5 Qg5-c1+ 31.Rd5-d1-+ ; 28...Be6xd5?! 29.Rd2xd5 Nf4xd5 30.Rd1xd5 Qg5-c1+ 31.Kg1-h2-+ ) 29.Kg1-f1 Nh3xf2 30.Rd2xf2 Be6-g4-+ ; Houdini annotates: 27.Qb3-b6 Nf4xg2 28.Qb6xd8 Rf8xd8 29.Kg1xg2 d6xc5 30.Ra1-d1 b7-b6 31.f2-f4 Be6-f5 32.b2-b3 Rd8-e8 33.Kg2-h2 Re8-e6 34.Ba3-b2 Re6-h6 35.Kh2-g1 Bf5-e4 36.Bb2-e5 Rb8-d8 -2.54/14 ] 27...Be6xd5 [ 27...Nf4xg2 28.Kg1xg2 Rf8-e8 29.Nd5-c3 Be6-d5+ 30.Nc3xd5 Re8xe3 31.Nd5xe3 Qd8-g5+ 32.Kg2-f1 d6xc5 33.Ra1-e1-+ ; Houdini annotates: 27...Nf4xg2 28.Kg1xg2 Rf8-e8 29.Nd5-b6 Be6-d5+ 30.Nb6xd5 Re8xe3 31.Nd5xe3 Qd8-g5+ 32.Kg2-f1 d6xc5 33.Ra1-d1 b7-b6 34.b2-b3 Rb8-e8 35.Ba3-c1 Qg5-f4 36.Kf1-g2 Re8-e6 37.Kg2-g1 Re6-g6+ 38.Kg1-f1 -4.75/13 ] 28.Qe3xf4 [Houdini annotates : 28.Qe3xf4 Bh4-g5 29.Qf4xd6 Bg5xd2 30.Qd6xd5 Qd8xd5 31.Bg2xd5 Rf8-d8 32.Bd5-f3 a6-a5 33.Kg1-g2 Bd2-b4 34.Ba3xb4 a5xb4 35.Ra1-e1 Rb8-c8 36.Re1-c1 Rd8-d2

237 37.Bf3xb7 Rc8-c7 38.c5-c6 Rd2xb2 39.Rc1-c4 Kg8-f8 40.Kg2-g3 Kf8-e7 41.f2-f4 f7-f5 42.Rc4-d4 Ke7-e6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Kg3-f3 -1.44/19 ] 28...Bh4-g5 43.Kg3-f3 -1.44/19 ] 28...Bh4-g5 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Bh4-g5 29.Qf4xd6 Bg5xd2 30.Qd6xd5 Qd8xd5 31.Bg2xd5 Rf8-d8 32.Bd5f3 a6-a5 33.Kg1-g2 Bd2-b4 34.Ba3xb4 a5xb4 35.Ra1-e1 Rb8-c8 36.Re1-c1 Rd8-d2 37.Bf3xb7 Rc8-c7 38.c5-c6 Rd2xb2 39.Rc1-c4 Kg8-f8 40.Kg2-g3 Kf8-e7 41.f2-f4 f7-f5 42.Rc4-d4 Ke7-e6 43.Kg3-f3 -1.39/19 ] 29.Qf4xg5?? White has lost his nerve... understandable when you consider his position [ ¹29.Qf4xd6 Bg5xd2 30.Qd6xd5 Qd8xd5 31.Bg2xd5-+ ; Houdini annotates: 29.Qf4xd6 Bg5xd2 30.Qd6xd5 Qd8xd5 31.Bg2xd5 Rf8-d8 32.Bd5-f3 a6-a5 33.Ra1-d1 Bd2-g5 34.Rd1-d6 Rd8xd6 35.c5xd6 Kg8-f8 36.b2-b3 Kf8-e8 37.Kg1-g2 Ke8-d8 38.Ba3-b2 Bg5-f6 39.Bb2xf6+ g7xf6 40.Bf3-g4 b7-b5 41.Kg2-f3 -1.43/17 ] 29...Qd8xg5 [ Houdini annotates: 29...Qd8xg5 30.Rd2xd5 Qg5-h4 31.c5xd6 Rf8-e8 32.Rd5-d3 Re8-e2 33.Ra1-f1 b7-b6 34.Bg2-f3 Re2-e6 35.Bf3-g2 Rb8-d8 36.Rd3-c3 Re6-e2 37.Rc3-c6 Qh4-d4 38.Bg2-f3 Re2-e6 39.Bf3-g2 a6-a5 40.b2-b3 Re6-e2 41.Rc6-c4 -3.42/17 ] 30.Rd2xd5 [Houdini annotates: 30.Rd2xd5 Qg5-h4 31.c5xd6 Rf8-e8 32.Rd5-d3 Re8-e2 33.Ra1-f1 b7-b6 34.Bg2-f3 Re2-e6 35.Bf3-g2 Rb8-d8 36.Rd3-c3 Re6-e2 37.Rc3-c6 Qh4-d4 38.Bg2-f3 Re2-e6 39.Bf3-g2 a6-a5 40.b2-b3 Re6-e2 41.Rc6-c4 -3.38/18 ] 30...Qg5-g4 [Houdini annotates: 30...Qg5-h4 31.c5xd6 Rf8-e8 32.Rd5-d3 Re8-e2 33.Ra1-f1 b7-b6 34.Bg2-f3 Re2-e6 35.Bf3-g2 Rb8-d8 36.Rd3-c3 Re6-e2 37.Rc3-c7 a6-a5

238 38.Rc7-e7 Re2-d2 39.Bg2-e4 f7-f5 -3.21/15 ] 31.c5xd6 [Houdini annotates: 31.c5xd6 Rf8-d8 32.Ba3c5 b7-b6 33.Bc5-e3 Rd8-d7 34.b2-b3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rb8-d8 35.Ra1-d1 b6-b5 36.Kg1-h2 Qg4-b4 37.Be3-b6 Qb4-h4+ 38.Kh2-g1 Rd8-e8 39.Rd5-d4 Qh4-f6 40.Bg2-c6 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg1-f1 Qg6-h6 -2.41/18 ] 31...Rf8-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Rb8-d8 32.Ra1-e1 Rf8-e8 33.Re1-e7 b7-b6 34.b2-b3 Qg4-h4 35.Rd5-d3 Qh4-g5 36.Rd3-g3 Qg5-d2 37.Bg2-c6 Re8-f8 38.Re7-a7 Rd8-c8 39.Ra7-c7 Qd2xa2 40.Ba3-c1 Qa2-c2 -2.27/16 ] 32.Ra1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 32.Ba3-c5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-tr-+k+0{ 9+p+-+pzp-0 174 9p+-zP-+-+0 174 9+-vLR+-+-0 9-+-+-+q+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPL+0 9tR-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy

b7-b6 33.Bc5-e3 Rd8-d7 34.Ra1-d1 Rb8-d8 35.b2-b3 b6-b5 36.Kg1-h2 Qg4-b4 37.Be3-b6 Qb4-h4+ 38.Kh2-g1 Rd8-e8 39.Bb6-e3 Re8-e6 40.Rd5-d4 Qh4-h5 -2.30/17 ] 32...Rb8-c8 [Houdini annotates: 32...Rb8-c8 33.Re1-e4 Rc8-c1+ 34.Kg1-h2 Qg4-g6 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5

239 38.Bg2-d5 Qh4-h3+ 39.Bd5-g2 38.Bg2-d5 Qh4-h3+ 39.Bd5-g2 Qh3-h5 40.Bg2-b7 Qh5-b5 41.Bb7-f3 Kh7-g8 42.Bf3-e4 g7-g6 43.Be4-f3 Rd8-e8 44.b2-b3 Re8xe2 45.Bf3xe2 Qb5-f5 46.Be2xa6 Qf5-b1+ 47.Kf1-g2 Qb1xa2 -2.73/15 ] 33...Rc8-c1+ [ Houdini annotates: 33...Rc8-c1+ 34.Kg1-h2 Qg4-g6 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5 40.Kh2-g3 Kh8-g7 41.Bb7-a6 Kg7-f6 42.Ba6-b5 Kf6-e6 43.f2-f3 Rc1-d1 44.f3-f4 Rd1-d2 45.Bb5-c4+ Ke6-f6 46.Bc4-b5 Rd2-d5 47.Bb5-f1 g6-g5 48.Bf1-e2 -2.77/19 ] 34.Kg1-h2 [ Houdini annotates: 34.Kg1-h2 Qg4-g6 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 Qg4-g6 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5 40.Kh2-g3 Kh8-g7 41.Bb7-a6 Kg7-f6 42.Ba6-b5 Kf6-e6 43.f2-f3 Rc1-c2 44.Bb5-d3 Rc2-d2 45.Bd3-c4+ Ke6-f6 46.Ba3-c5 Rd8-c8 47.b2-b4 a5xb4 48.Bc5xb4 -2.93/17 ] 34...Qg4-g6 [ 34...Qg4-c8 and Black can already relax 35.Rd5-e5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 34...Qg4-g6 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 40.Kh2-g2 Kh8-g7 41.Bb7-d5 Rc1-c2 42.Bd5-e4 Rc2-d2 43.Kg2-f3 Kg7-f6 44.Kf3-e3 Rd2-d1 45.Ba3-c5 Kf6-e6 -2.59/17 ] 33.Re1-e4 [Houdini annotates : 33.Rd5-e5 Rc8-c2 34.Kg1-f1 Qg4-h4 35.Re5-e8+ Kg8-h7 36.Re8-e2 Rc2xe2 37.Re1xe2 b7-b6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5 40.Kh2-g3 Kh8-g7 41.Bb7-a6 Kg7-f6 42.Ba6-b5 Kf6-e6 43.f2-f3 Rc1-c2 44.Bb5-d3 Rc2-d2 45.Bd3-c4+ Ke6-f6 46.Ba3-c5 Rd8-c8 47.b2-b4 a5xb4 48.Bc5xb4 -2.71/18 ] 35.d6-d7 [ 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5-h8+ Qf6xh8 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5-+ ; Houdini annotates: 35.Re4-h4 Qg6-f6 36.Rd5-h5 g7-g6 37.Rh5h8+ Qf6xh8 38.Rh4xh8+ Kg8xh8 39.Bg2xb7 a6-a5 40.Kh2-g2 Kh8-g7 41.Bb7-d5 Kg7-f6 42.b2-b4 Rd8xd6 43.Ba3xc1 Rd6xd5 44.a2-a3 a5xb4 45.a3xb4 Rd5-d3 46.Bc1-e3 Rd3-b3 47.Be3-d4+ Kf6-f5 48.Bd4-c5 Kf5-e4

240

241

Levon Aronian's Best Games -2.71/16 ] 35...Qg6-h6+ [Houdini annotates : 35...Qg6-h6+ 36.Bg2-h3 Rd8xd7 37.Rd5xd7 Rc1-h1+ 38.Kh2xh1 Qh6xh3+ 39.Kh1-g1 Qh3xd7 40.Ba3-b4 Qd7-a4 41.f2-f3 Qa4xa2 42.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 43.Bb4-c3 Qa2-d5 44.Kg1-f2 f7-f6 45.Re8-e4 Qd5-c5+ 46.Kf2-g2 Kh7-g6 47.Re4-g4+ Kg6-f7 48.Rg4-d4 Qc5-f5 49.Rd4-c4 Kf7-g6 50.Kg2-g3 Qf5-d3 51.Rc4-e4 -3.20/16 ] 36.Kh2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 36.Bg2-h3 Rd8xd7 37.Rd5xd7 Rc1-h1+ 38.Kh2xh1 Qh6xh3+ 39.Kh1-g1 Qh3xd7 40.Ba3-b4 Qd7-a4 41.f2-f3 Qa4xa2 42.Bb4-c3 f7-f6 43.Re4-e8+ Kg8-f7 44.Re8-c8 Qa2-e6 45.Rc8-c7+ Kf7-g6 46.Kg1-g2 Qe6-d5 47.Kg2-f2 a6-a5 48.Kf2-g2 b7-b6 -3.23/16 ] 36...Rc1-g1 [ 36...f7-f5 37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Re8xd8 Qh6-g5+ 39.Kg3-f3 Qg5-g4+ 40.Kf3-e3 Rc1-e1+ 41.Ke3-d3 Qg4-e2+ 42.Kd3-d4 Re1-d1+ 43.Kd4-c3 Rd1-c1+ 44.Kc3-b4 Qe2-c4+ 45.Kb4-a5 b7-b6+ 46.Ka5xb6 Qc4-c7+ 47.Kb6xa6 Rc1-c6+ 48.Ka6-b5 Rc6-b6+ 49.Kb5-a4 Qc7-c6+ 50.Ka4-a5 Rb6-a6+ 51.Ka5-b4 Ra6-a4+ 52.Kb4-b3 Qc6-c4# ;Houdini annotates: 36...f7-f5 37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Re8xd8 Qh6-g5+ 39.Kg3-f3 Qg5-g4+ 40.Kf3-e3 Rc1-e1+ 41.Ke3-d3 Qg4-e2+ 42.Kd3-d4 Qe2xf2+ 43.Kd4-c4 Re1-c1+ 44.Kc4-b3 Qf2-c2+ 45.Kb3-b4 Qc2-c4+ 46.Kb4-a5 Qc4-c7+ 47.Ka5-b4 Qc7-b6+ 48.Kb4-a4 Qb6xd8 49.Ka4-b3 a6-a5 50.Kb3-a4 Rc1-c7 51.Ka4-b5 Rc7xd7 52.Rd5xf5 g7-g6 53.Rf5-e5 Qd8-f6 -3.99/13 ]

37.Re4-e8+= [Houdini annotates: 37.Re4-e8+ Kg8-h7 38.Re8xd8 Qh6-g6+ 39.Kg3-f4 Qg6-f6+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 -0.05/16 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 -0.05/16 ] 37...Kg8-h7 [Houdini annotates: 37...Kg8-h7 38.Re8xd8 Qh6-g6+ 39.Kg3-f4 Qg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 0.15/17 ] 38.Re8xd8 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Re8xd8 Qh6-g6+ 39.Kg3-f4 Qg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 -0.05/18 ] 38...Qh6-g6+ [Houdini annotates: 38...Qh6-g6+ 39.Kg3-f4 Qg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 0.11/19 ] 39.Kg3-f4 [Houdini annotates: 39.Kg3-f4 Qg6-h6+ 40.Kf4-f3 Qh6-f6+ 41.Kf3-g3 Qf6-g6+ -0.05/17 ] 39...Qg6-f6+ [ 39...Rg1xg2?? if Black takes the bishop he will lose 40.Rd8-h8+!? Kh7xh8 41.d7d8Q+ Kh8-h7 42.Qd8-h4+ Qg6h6+ 43.Qh4xh6+ Kh7xh6 44.Ba3-c5+- ; 39...Qg6xg2?? Black should leave the bishop well alone 40.Rd8-h8+!? Mate attack Kh7-g6 41.Rd5-d6+ f7-f6 42.Rd6xf6+ g7xf6 43.Rh8-g8+ Kg6-f7 44.Rg8xg2+- ;Houdini annotates: 39...Qg6-f6+ 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 0.11/18 ] 40.Kf4-e3?? White is ruining his position [ ¹40.Kf4-g3 is a viable option Qf6-g6+ 41.Kg3-f4 Qg6-f6+ 42.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+= ;Houdini annotates: 40.Kf4-g3 Qf6-g6+ 0.05/12 ] 40...Qf6xd8 [ 40...Rg1-e1+ 41.Ke3-d3 Re1-d1+ 42.Kd3-c4 Qf6-h4+ 43.Kc4-b3 Rd1xd5 44.Bg2xd5 Qh4xd8 45.Bd5xb7 Qd8-b6+ 46.Kb3-c4 Qb6-c7+ 47.Kc4-d4 Qc7xd7+ 48.Bb7-d5 Qd7-a4+ 49.Kd4-e3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 40...Rg1-e1+ 41.Ke3-d3 Re1-d1+ 42.Kd3-e4 Qf6-h4+ 43.f2-f4 f7-f5+ 44.Ke4xf5 Rd1xd5+ 45.Bg2xd5

242 Qh4xd8 46.Kf5-e5 Qd8xd7 47.f4-f5 Qd7-b5 48.Ke5-d4 Kh7-h6 49.Bd5-e4 Kh6-g5 50.Ba3-e7+ Kg5-g4 -3.23/13 ] 41.Bg2-e4+ [Houdini annotates: 41.Bg2-e4+ f7-f5 42.Be4xf5+ g7-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.Bf5-c2 Rg1-h1 44.Ke3-e2 Kh7-g7 45.Rd5-d6 g6-g5 46.Rd6-e6 Rh1-h8 47.Bc2-e4 b7-b6 48.Ba3-e7 Qd8xd7 49.Be7-f6+ Kg7-f7 50.Re6xb6 Qd7-g4+ -0.22/15 ] 41...g7-g6?? Black loses the upper hand [ ¹41...Kh7-h6-+ and Black is on the road to success ;Houdini annotates: 41...f7-f5 42.Be4xf5+ g7-g6 43.Bf5-c2 Rg1-h1 44.Ke3-f3 Rh1-h3+ 45.Kf3-e2 b7-b6 46.Bc2-e4 Kh7-g7 47.Rd5-d6 g6-g5 48.Ba3-b4 Rh3-h2 49.Bb4-c3+ Kg7-f7 -0.58/14 ] 42.f2-f3= [ Houdini annotates: 42.f2-f3 Rg1-e1+ 43.Ke3-d2 Re1-h1 44.Ba3-e7 Qd8-b6 45.d7-d8Q Qb6xb2+ 46.Kd2-e3 Rh1-e1+ 47.Ke3-d3 Re1-d1+ 48.Kd3-e3 Rd1-e1+ 49.Ke3-d3 -0.03/14 ] 42...Rg1-g5 [ ¹42...Kh7-g7!?= looks like a viable alternative ; Houdini annotates: 42...f7-f6 43.Ba3-e7 Qd8-b6+ 44.Be7-c5 Qb6-d8 45.Rd5-d4 f6-f5 46.Bc5-e7 Qd8xe7 47.d7-d8Q Qe7-c5 48.Qd8-d6 Qc5-c1+ 49.Rd4-d2 f5xe4 50.Qd6-h2+ Kh7-g7 51.Qh2-e5+ Kg7-f7 52.f3xe4 Qc1-e1+ 53.Ke3-d3 Qe1-f1+ 54.Kd3-d4 Qf1-f6 55.Qe5xf6+ Kf7xf6 56.Kd4-d5 Rg1-e1 57.Rd2-f2+ Kf6-e7 0.09/15 ] 43.Ba3-e7!± White gets the upper hand [Houdini 2. 0c : 43.Ba3-e7 Rg5xd5 44.Be7xd8 Rd5xd7 45.Bd8-f6 Kh7-h6 46.f3-f4 b7-b5 47.Be4-f3 Rd7-d6 48.Bf6-e5 Rd6-d7 49.a2-a3 Rd7-d8 50.b2-b3 a6-a5 51.Bf3-g2 g6-g5 0.46/13 ] 43...Qd8-b6+?? further deteriorates the position [ 43...Qd8xe7 44.d7-d8Q Promotion ; …43...-- 44.Be7xd8 Wins material ; Houdini annotates: 43...Rg5xd5 44.Be7xd8 Rd5xd7 45.Bd8-f6 Kh7-h6

243 46.f3-f4 b7-b5 47.Be4-f3 Rd7-d6 48.Bf6-e5 Rd6-d7 49.a2-a3 Rd7-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 50.b2-b3 a6-a5 51.Bf3-g2 g6-g5 50.b2-b3 a6-a5 51.Bf3-g2 g6-g5 0.57/14 ] 44.Rd5-d4+- [Houdini annotates : 44.Rd5-d4 Qb6xb2 45.d7-d8Q Rg5-g2 46.Rd4-d2 Qb2-c3+ 47.Qd8-d3 Qc3-c1 48.Qd3-c2 Qc1-g1+ 49.Ke3-d3 Qg1-f1+ 50.Kd3-c3 Qf1-e1 51.Be7c5 f7-f5 52.Be4xb7 Qe1-e5+ 53.Kc3d3 Rg2xd2+ 54.Kd3xd2 a6-a5 55.Bc5-f2 Qe5-d6+ 56.Kd2-c1 Qd6-f4+ 57.Kc1-b1 Qf4-b4+ 58.Qc2-b3 Qb4-d2 59.Bf2-e3 Qd2-e1+ 60.Be3-c1 Kh7-g7 61.Bb7-d5 5.64/15 ] 44...Qb6-a5 [ Houdini annotates: 44...Qb6xb2 45.d7-d8Q Qb2-c1+ 46.Rd4-d2 Rg5-g2 47.Be7-b4 b7-b5 48.Ke3-f4 Rg2xd2 49.Qd8xd2 Qc1-c7+ 50.Bb4-d6 Qc7-c8 51.Bd6-e5 Qc8-h3 52.Kf4-e3 Qh3-h6+ 53.Ke3-d3 Qh6-h4 54.Qd2-h2 Qh4xh2 55.Be5xh2 f7-f5 56.Be4-d5 g6-g5 57.Bd5-b7 a6-a5 58.Bh2-c7 a5-a4 59.Bb7-c6 6.06/17 ] 45.Be7xg5 [ ¹45.d7-d8Q it becomes clear that White will call all the shots Qa5-e1+ 46.Ke3-d3 Qe1f1+ 47.Kd3-c2 Rg5-g2+ 48.Kc2-b3+; Houdini annotates: 45.d7-d8Q Qa5-e1+ 46.Ke3-d3 Rg5-e5 47.Kd3-c2 Qe1-e2+ 48.Rd4-d2 Qe2-c4+ 49.Kc2-b1 Qc4-f1+ 50.Rd2-d1 Qf1xd1+ 51.Qd8xd1 Re5xe7 52.Qd1-d8 Re7-e6 53.Qd8-f8 Re6-f6 54.Qf8-e7 Kh7-g7 55.Qe7xb7 Rf6-d6 56.Kb1-c2 8.51/13 ] 45...Qa5xg5+² [Houdini annotates: 45...Qa5xg5+ 46.Ke3-f2 Qg5-h4+ 47.Kf2-e2 Qh4-d8 48.Be4xb7 a6-a5 49.Bb7-c6 Kh7-g7 50.Ke2-d3 g6-g5 51.Rd4-e4 Qd8-c7 52.f3-f4 g5xf4 53.Re4-d4 Diagram

244 Qc7-d8 54.Rd4xf4 Qd8-g5 55.Rf4-e4 Qg5-f6 56.Bc6-a4 Qf6-f3+ 57.Kd3-d4 Qf3-f2+ 58.Kd4-c4 Qf2-f1+ 59.Kc4-d5 Qf1-d3+ 60.Re4-d4 Qd3-f5+ 61.Kd5-c6 Qf5-f6+ 62.Rd4-d6 Qf6-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-wqP+pmk-0 175 9-+L+-+-+0 175 9zp-+-+-+-0 9-+-tR-zp-+0 9+-+K+-+-0 9PzP-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 63.Ba4-c2 Qd8-a8+ 64.Kc6-b6

Qa8-d8+ 65.Kb6-b5 Kg7-f8 0.89/18 ] 46.Ke3-f2 [Houdini annotates: 46.Ke3-f2 Qg5-h4+ 47.Kf2-e2 Qh4-d8 48.Be4xb7 a6-a5 49.Bb7-c6 Kh7-g7 50.Ke2-d3 g6-g5 51.Rd4-e4 Qd8-c7 52.f3-f4 g5xf4 53.Re4-d4 Qc7-d8 54.Rd4xf4 Qd8-g5 55.Rf4-e4 Qg5-f6 56.Bc6-a4 Qf6-f3+ 57.Kd3-d4 Qf3-f2+ 58.Kd4-c4 Qf2-f1+ 59.Kc4-d5 Qf1-d3+ 60.Re4-d4 Qd3-f5+ 61.Kd5-c6 Qf5-f6+ 62.Rd4-d6 Qf6-d8 63.Ba4-c2 Qd8-a8+ 64.Kc6-b6 Qa8-d8+ 65.Kb6-b5 Kg7-f8 0.79/19 ] 46...Qg5-d8 [ 46...Qg5-h4+!? is worth consideration 47.Kf2-e2 Qh4-d8 48.Be4xb7 a6-a5± ; Houdini annotates: 46...Qg5-h4+ 47.Kf2-e2 Qh4-d8 48.Be4xb7 a6-a5 49.Bb7-c6 Kh7-g7 50.Ke2-d3 g6-g5 51.Rd4-e4 Qd8-c7 52.f3-f4 g5xf4 53.Re4-d4 Qc7-d8 54.Rd4xf4 Qd8-g5 55.Rf4-d4 Qg5-g6+ 56.Kd3-e2 Qg6-c2+ 57.Ke2-e3 Qc2-c1+

245 47.Be4xb7 a6-a5 48.a2-a3 Kh7-g7 47.Be4xb7 a6-a5 48.a2-a3 Kh7-g7 49.b2-b4 a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kg7-f6 51.b4-b5 Kf6-e7 52.b5-b6 f7-f6 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8 56.Kf2-e3 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 58.Bc6-d5+ Ke6-e7 59.Bd5-c4 Ke7-f8 60.Bc4-e6 Kf8-e7 61.Be6-d5 Ke7-e8 62.Bd5-c4 Ke8-f8 63.Bc4-e6 2.14/19 ] 47...a6-a5 [ Houdini annotates: 47...a6-a5 48.a2-a3 Kh7-g7 49.b2-b4 a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kg7-f6 51.b4-b5 Kf6-e7 52.b5-b6 f7-f6 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 58.Bc6-d5+ Ke6-e7 59.Bd5-c4 58.Ke3-d3 Qc1-f1+ 59.Kd3-c2 Qf1-e2+ 60.Kc2-b3 Qe2-e3+ 61.Kb3-c4 Qe3-e2+ 62.Kc4-c5 Qe2-e5+ 63.Rd4-d5 Qe5-e7+ 64.Kc5-b5 Qe7-d8 65.Rd5-f5 0.63/16 ] 47.Be4xb7± [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke7-f8 60.Bc4-e6 Kf8-e8 61.Be6-b3 Ke7-f8 60.Bc4-e6 Kf8-e8 61.Be6-b3 Ke8-e7 62.Bb3-a2 Ke7-f8 63.Ba2-e6 Kf8-e8 2.25/20 ] 48.a2-a3 [Houdini 2. 0c : 48.a2-a3 g6-g5 49.b2-b4 a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kh7-g7 51.b4-b5 g5-g4 52.b5-b6 Kg7-f8 53.f3xg4 Qd8-f6+ 54.Kf2-e3 Qf6-g5+ 55.Ke3-d3 Qg5-b5+ 56.Kd3-e4 Qb5-e2+ 57.Ke4-f4 Qe2-f2+ 58.Kf4-e5 Qf2-e3+ 59.Ke5-d5 Qe3-b3+ 60.Kd5-e4 Qb3-e6+ 61.Ke4-d3 Qe6-b3+ 62.Kd3-e2 Qb3-b2+ 63.Ke2-e3 Qb2-c3+ 64.Ke3-e4 Qc3-c2+ 65.Ke4-e5 Qc2-c5+ 66.Rd4-d5 Qc5-e3+ 67.Ke5-f5 Qe3-f3+ 68.Kf5-g5 Qf3-e3+ 69.Kg5-h4 Qe3-h6+ 70.Rd5-h5 Qh6-f6+ 71.Kh4-h3 1.90/16 ] 48...Kh7-g7 [Houdini annotates: 48...g6-g5 49.b2-b4 a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kh7-g7 51.b4-b5 g5-g4 52.b5-b6 Kg7-f8 53.f3xg4 Qd8-f6+ 54.Kf2-e3 Qf6-g5+ 55.Ke3-d3 Qg5-b5+ 56.Kd3-e4 Qb5-e2+ 57.Ke4-f4 Qe2-f2+ 58.Kf4-e5 Qf2-e3+ 59.Ke5-d5 Qe3-b3+ 60.Kd5-e4 Qb3-e6+ 61.Ke4-d3 Qe6-b3+ 62.Kd3-e2 Qb3-b2+ 63.Ke2-e3 Qb2-c3+ 64.Ke3-e4 Qc3-c2+

246

Levon Aronian's Best Games 65.Ke4-e5 Qc2-c5+ 66.Rd4-d5 Qc5-e3+ 67.Ke5-f5 Qe3-f3+ 68.Kf5-g5 Qf3-e3+ 69.Kg5-h4 Qe3-h6+ 70.Rd5-h5 Qh6-f6+ 71.Kh4-h3 2.01/17 ] 49.b2-b4 [Houdini annotates: 49.b2-b4 a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kg7-f6 51.b4-b5 Kf6-e7 52.b5-b6 f7-f6 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 58.Bc6-d5+ Ke6-e7 59.Bd5-c4 Ke7-f8 60.Bc4-e6 Kf8-e8 61.Be6-a2 Ke8-e7 62.Ba2-d5 Ke7-d7 63.Bd5-c4 Kd7-d6 64.Bc4-f7 g6-g5 65.Ke4-f5 Kd6-e7 66.Bf7-d5 Ke7-d6 67.Bd5-b3 Kd6-e7 68.Kf5-g6 2.14/17 ] 49...a5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 49...a5xb4 50.a3xb4 Kg7f6 51.b4-b5 Kf6-e7 52.b5-b6 f7-f6 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 58.Bc6-d5+ Ke6-e7 59.Bd5-c4 Ke7-f8 60.Bc4-e6 Kf8-e7 61.Be6-d5 Ke7-e8 62.Bd5-b3 Ke8-e7 63.Bb3-a2 Ke7-e8 64.Ba2-e6 Ke8-f8 65.Be6-a2 Kf8-e7 66.Ba2-d5 Ke7-e8 2.25/18 ] 50.a3xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 50.a3xb4 g6-g5 51.b4-b5 g5-g4 52.b5-b6 Kg7-f8 53.f3xg4 Qd8-f6+ 54.Kf2-e3 Qf6-g5+ 55.Ke3-d3 Qg5-b5+ 56.Kd3-e4 Qb5-e2+ 57.Ke4-f4 Qe2-f2+ 58.Kf4-e5 Qf2-e3+ 59.Ke5-d5 Qe3-b3+ 60.Kd5-e4 Qb3-e6+ 61.Ke4-d3 Qe6-b3+ 62.Kd3-e2 Qb3-b2+ 63.Ke2-e3 Qb2-c3+ 64.Ke3-e4 Qc3-c2+ 65.Ke4-e5 Qc2-c5+ 66.Rd4-d5 Qc5-e3+ 67.Ke5-f5 Qe3-f3+ 68.Kf5-g5 Qf3-e3+ 69.Kg5-h4 Qe3-h6+ 70.Rd5-h5

247

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wQ-+-+0{ 9+-+-mk-+-0 176 9+-+-mk-+-0 176 9-wqL+-zpp+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-tR-+-+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9-+-+-mK-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qh6-f6+ 71.Kh4-h3 1.91/17 ] 50...f7-f5 [ 50...Kg7-f6!?+- ;Houdini annotates: 50...Kg7-f8 51.b4-b5 Kf8-e7 52.b5-b6 f7-f6 53.Bb7-c6 Qd8xb6 54.d7-d8Q+ Diagram Qb6xd8 55.Rd4xd8 Ke7xd8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 56.Kf2-e3 Kd8-e7 57.Ke3-e4 Ke7-e6 58.Bc6-d5+ Ke6-e7 59.Bd5-c4 Ke7-e8 60.Bc4-a2 Ke8-f8 61.Ba2-e6 Kf8-e7 62.Be6-d5 Ke7-e8 63.Bd5-b3 Ke8-e7 64.Bb3-c4 Ke7-e8 2.24/18 ] 51.b4-b5 [ Houdini annotates: 51.b4-b5 g6-g5 52.b5-b6 g5-g4 53.f3xg4 f5xg4 54.Bb7-c6 Kg7-f7 55.b6-b7 Qd8-f6+ 56.Kf2-e3 Qf6-e6+ 57.Rd4-e4 Qe6-d6 58.Re4xg4 Kf7-f6 59.Rg4-f4+ Kf6-e5 60.Rf4-e4+ Ke5-f6 61.Bc6-d5 Kf6-f5 62.Ke3-d4 Qd6-b6+ 63.Kd4-d3 Qb6-d6 3.32/15 ] 51...f5-f4?? terrible, but what else could Black do to save the game? [ 51...Kg7-f6 52.b5b6! a forceful and devastating end Kf6-e7+- ;Houdini annotates: 51...g6-g5 52.b5-b6 g5-g4 53.f3xg4 f5xg4 54.Bb7-c6 Kg7-f7 55.b6-b7 Qd8-f6+ 56.Kf2-e3 Qf6-e6+ 57.Rd4-e4 Qe6-d6 58.Re4xg4 Kf7-f6 59.Rg4-f4+ Kf6-e5 60.Rf4-e4+ Ke5-f5 61.Re4-b4 Qd6-c5+ 62.Ke3-d3 Qc5-d6+ 63.Rb4-d4 Qd6-g3+ 64.Kd3-c4 3.42/16 ] 52.Bb7-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 52.Bb7-e4 g6-g5 53.Kf2-e2 Kg7-f6 54.b5-b6 g5-g4 55.b6-b7 g4xf3+ 56.Be4xf3 Kf6-e5 57.b7-b8Q+ Qd8xb8 58.d7-d8Q Qb8xd8 59.Rd4xd8

248

249

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke5-e6 60.Bf3-e4 Ke6-e7 61.Rd8-d5 f4-f3+ 62.Ke2xf3 Ke7-f8 63.Rd5-d7 Kf8-e8 64.Rd7-a7 Ke8-d8 65.Kf3-f4 Kd8-e8 66.Ra7-c7 Ke8-d8 67.Rc7-f7 10.28/15 ] 52...g6-g5 [Houdini annotates : 52...Kg7-f6 53.b5-b6 g6-g5 54.b6-b7 g5-g4 55.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 56.d7-d8Q+ Qb8xd8 57.Rd4xd8 g4xf3 58.Kf2xf3 Kf6-e7 59.Rd8-d5 Ke7-f6 60.Kf3xf4 Kf6-e6 61.Rd5-b5 Ke6-d6 62.Kf4-f5 Kd6-e7 63.Kf5-e5 Ke7-e8 64.Rb5-b7 Ke8-d8 65.Rb7-f7 Kd8-e8 66.Ke5-e6 10.38/16 ] 53.Kf2-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 53.Kf2-e2 Kg7-f6 54.b5-b6 g5-g4 55.b6-b7 g4xf3+ 56.Be4xf3 Kf6-g5 57.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 58.d7-d8Q+ Qb8xd8 59.Rd4xd8 Kg5-f6 60.Bf3-e4 Kf6-e5 61.Ke2-f3 Ke5-e6 62.Kf3xf4 Ke6-e7 63.Rd8-c8 Ke7-d6 64.Rc8-c6+ Kd6-e7 65.Kf4-e5 Ke7-d7 66.Rc6-b6 Kd7-e8 67.Rb6-b7 Ke8-d8 68.Rb7-f7 Kd8-e8 69.Ke5-e6 10.19/15 ] 53...Kg7-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 53...Kg7-f7 54.b5-b6 Kf7-f6 55.b6-b7 g5-g4 56.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 57.d7-d8Q+ Qb8xd8 58.Rd4xd8 g4xf3+ 59.Ke2xf3 Kf6-e7 60.Rd8-d5 Ke7-f6 61.Kf3xf4 Kf6-e6 62.Rd5-b5 Ke6-d6 63.Kf4-f5 Kd6-e7 64.Kf5-e5 Ke7-e8 65.Rb5-b7 Ke8-d8 66.Rb7-f7 Kd8-e8 67.Ke5-e6 10.38/16 ] 54.Rd4-d5 [Houdini annotates: 54.b5-b6 g5-g4 55.b6-b7 g4xf3+ 56.Be4xf3 Kf6-e7 57.Rd4-e4+ Ke7-f6 58.Re4-b4 Qd8-e7+ 59.Ke2-f1 Qe7xd7 60.b7-b8Q Qd7-h3+ 61.Kf1-e2 Qh3-h2+ 62.Ke2-d3 Qh2-h7+ 63.Rb4-e4 Qh7-f5 64.Qb8xf4 Qf5xf4 65.Re4xf4+ Kf6-e5 66.Rf4-f8 Ke5-d6 67.Kd3-d4 Kd6-e6 68.Rf8-e8+ Ke6-f5 9.66/14 ]

54...Kf6-e6 [ 54...Kf6-e7 55.b5-b6 Qd8xb6 56.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 57.Rd5xd8 Ke7xd8+- ;Houdini annotates: 54...Kf6-e7 55.b5-b6 Qd8xb6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 56.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 57.Rd5xd8 56.d7-d8Q+ Qb6xd8 57.Rd5xd8 Ke7xd8 58.Ke2-d3 Kd8-e7 59.Be4-f5 Ke7-d6 60.Kd3-d4 Kd6-c6 61.Kd4-e5 Kc6-c5 62.Bf5-e4 Kc5-c4 63.Ke5-f5 Kc4-d4 64.Kf5xg5 Kd4-e5 65.Be4-d3 Ke5-d4 66.Kg5xf4 Kd4-d5 67.Bd3-f5 Kd5-d6 68.Kf4-e4 Kd6-e7 69.Ke4-e5 Ke7-d8 70.Bf5-g4 Kd8-e7 71.Bg4-f5 Ke7-d8 6.12/19 ] 55.b5-b6! Deflection: g5 [Houdini annotates: 55.b5-b6 Ke6-e7 56.b6-b7 Ke7-f7 57.Rd5-b5 Qd8-b8 58.d7-d8N+ Qb8xd8 59.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 60.Rb5xb8 Kf7-g7 61.Rb8-b5 Kg7-h8 62.Rb5-d5 Kh8-g7 63.Rd5xg5+ Kg7-f6 64.Rg5-f5+ Kf6-e6 65.Rf5xf4 Ke6-d6 66.Ke2-e3 Kd6-d7 67.Rf4-g4 Kd7-e7 68.f3-f4 Ke7-e6 69.Rg4-g6+ Ke6-e7 70.f4-f5 Ke7-d7 10.83/19 ] 55...g5-g4 [ 55...Qd8xb6 56.d7-d8Q Promotion Decoy Double attack ( 56.Rd5xg5 Deflection );Houdini annotates: 55...Ke6-f6 56.b6-b7 Kf6-f7 57.Rd5-b5 Qd8-b8 58.d7-d8N+ Qb8xd8 59.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 60.Rb5xb8 Kf7-g7 61.Rb8-b5 Kg7-h8 62.Rb5-d5 Kh8-g7 63.Rd5xg5+ Kg7-f6 64.Rg5-f5+ Kf6-e6 65.Rf5xf4 Ke6-d6 66.Ke2-e3 Kd6-e6 67.Rf4-g4 Ke6-d6 68.Rg4g6+ Kd6-d7 69.Rg6-h6 Kd7-e7 70.f3f4 10.88/20 ] 56.f3xg4 [Houdini annotates: 56.f3xg4 f4-f3+ 57.Ke2xf3 Qd8-f6+ 58.Kf3-e3 Qf6-c3+ 59.Ke3-e2 Qc3-c4+ 60.Ke2-f2 Qc4xe4 61.d7-d8Q Qe4-f4+ 62.Kf2-e1 Qf4-e3+ 63.Ke1-d1 Qe3-f3+ 64.Kd1-c2 Qf3-e4+ 65.Kc2-b3 Qe4-b1+ 66.Kb3-c4 Qb1-c2+ 67.Kc4-b4 Qc2-b2+ 68.Kb4-c5 Qb2-c2+ 69.Kc5-b5 Qc2-e2+ 70.Kb5-c6 Qe2-c4+ 71.Kc6-b7

250 Qc4xd5+ 72.Qd8xd5+ Ke6xd5 73.Kb7-c7 Kd5-e5 74.b6-b7 Ke5-f4 75.Kc7-d6 Kf4xg4 76.b7-b8Q Kg4-f4 77.Qb8-b5 Kf4-e4 78.Qb5-d5+

251

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke4-e3 11.15/19 ] 56...Ke6-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 56...f4-f3+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wq-+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 177 9-zP-+k+-+0 9+-+R+-+-0 9-+-+L+P+0 9+-+-+p+-0 9-+-+K+-+0 xiiiiiiiiy 57.Ke2xf3 Qd8-f6+ 58.Kf3-e3 Qf6-c3+ 59.Ke3-e2 Qc3-c4+ 60.Ke2-f2 Qc4xe4 61.d7-d8Q Qe4-f4+ 62.Kf2-e1 Qf4-e3+ 63.Ke1-d1 Qe3-f3+ 64.Kd1-c2 Qf3-e4+ 65.Kc2-b3 Qe4-b1+ 66.Kb3-c4 Qb1-c2+ 67.Kc4-b4 Qc2-b2+ 68.Kb4-c5 Qb2-c2+ 69.Kc5-b5 Qc2-e2+ 70.Kb5-c6 Qe2-c4+ 71.Kc6-b7 Qc4xd5+ 72.Qd8xd5+ Ke6xd5 73.Kb7-c7 Kd5-e5 74.b6-b7 Ke5-f4 75.Kc7-d6 Kf4xg4 76.b7-b8Q Kg4-f4 77.Qb8-b5 Kf4-e4 78.Qb5-d5+ Ke4-e3 10.78/17 ] 57.b6-b7 [ 57.b6-b7 f4-f3+ 58.Ke2xf3+- ;Houdini annotates: 57.b6-b7 f4-f3+ 58.Ke2xf3 Kf6-e7 59.b7-b8Q Qd8xb8 60.d7-d8Q+ Qb8xd8 61.Rd5xd8 Ke7xd8 62.Kf3-f4 Kd8-d7 63.Kf4-e5 Kd7-e7 64.g4-g5 Ke7-f7 65.Ke5-f5 Kf7-f8 66.Kf5-f6 Kf8-e8 67.g5-g6 Ke8-d7 68.g6-g7 Kd7-d6 69.g7-g8Q Kd6-c5 70.Qg8-d5+ Kc5-b4

31 31

C84 C84

Gata Kamsky Levon Aronian World Chess Team Championship 2011 C84: Closed Ruy Lopez: Unusual White 6th moves 1.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3.Bf1-b5 a7-a6 4.Bb5-a4 Ng8-f6 5.0-0 Bf8-e7 6.d2-d3 b7-b5 7.Ba4-b3 d7-d6 8.a2-a4 b5-b4 9.Bc1-g5 0-0 10.Nb1-d2 h7-h6 11.Bg5-h4 Ra8-b8 12.Rf1-e1 Nc6-a5 13.Bb3-a2 c7-c5 14.Nd2-c4 Na5-c6 15.Nc4-e3 Bc8-e6 18.h2-h4 Standard Book moves end here Nc6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 18...Nc6-d4 19.h4-h5 Be6-d7 20.Bc4-d5 Nd4-e6 21.Nf3-d2 Qc8-c7 22.Ne3-f5 Ne6-f4 23.Qd1-g4 Qc7-c8 71.Qd5-c6 Kb4-b3 72.Qc6-c5 Kb3-b2 73.Qc5-b4+ Kb2-a2 74.Be4-d5+ Ka2-a1 75.Qb4-e1+ 20.57/17 ] 1-0

Levon Aronian's Best Games 24.Bd5-c4 Bd7xf5 25.Qg4xf5 Qc8xf5 24.Bd5-c4 Bd7xf5 25.Qg4xf5 Qc8xf5 26.e4xf5 -0.06/14 ] 19.g2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 19.h4-h5 Be6-d7 20.Qd1-e2 Ne7-c6 21.Bc4-d5 Qc8-c7 22.b2-b3 Rf8-e8 23.Qe2-d2 Bf6-e7 24.a4-a5 Rb8-b5 25.Ne3-c4 0.20/13 ] 19...g7-g6 Diagram [ 19...Be6-d7!?= ;Houdini annotates: 19...Ne7-c6 20.Qd1-e2 Be6-h3 21.Qe2-d2 Qc8-b7 22.Ra1-d1 Rf8-e8 23.Qd2-e2 Bf6-d8 24.Ne3-f5 Qb7-d7 25.Bc4-d5 Bh3xf5 26.e4xf5 -0.09/13 ] (Diagram 178) Consolidates f5 20.Kg1-g2² [ Houdini annotates: 20.Qd1-e2 Be6-d7 21.Bc4-d5 Qc8-c7 22.Nf3d2 h6-h5 23.Bd5-c4 a6-a5 24.Qe2f3 Bf6-g7 25.Bc4-d5 Bd7-c6 26.Nd2-c4 Ne7xd5 27.Ne3xd5 Bc6xd5 28.e4xd5 0.33/13 ] 20...Be6-h3+ [ Houdini annotates: 20...Bf6-g7 21.h4-h5 g6-g5 22.Qd1-e2 Be6xc4 23.Ne3xc4 Qc8-d7 24.a4-a5 Qd7-e6

252

253

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trq+-trk+0 9+-+-snp+-0 178 9p+-zplvlpzp0 9+-zp-zp-+-0 9PzpL+P+-zP0 9+-+PsNNzP-0 9-zPP+-zP-+0 9tR-+QtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 25.Nc4-b6 f7-f5 26.Nf3-d2 Ne7-c6 27.Nb6-d5 Nc6-d4 0.11/13 ] 21.Kg2-h2 [Houdini annotates: 21.Kg2-h1 Bh3-e6 22.Qd1-e2 Bf6-g7 23.h4-h5 g6xh5 24.b2-b3 Be6-g4 25.Kh1-g1 Qc8-b7 26.Kg1-g2 Ne7-c6 27.Bc4-d5 Qb7-d7 0.25/14 ] 21...Bh3-d7 [Houdini annotates: 21...Bh3-e6 22.h4-h5 Bf6-g7 23.Re1-h1 b4-b3 24.Bc4xb3 Be6xb3 25.c2xb3 Qc8-e6 26.Kh2-g2 g6-g5 27.Nf3-d2 Ne7-c6 28.Qd1-g4 Nc6-d4 29.Qg4xe6 f7xe6 0.18/12 ] 22.Re1-g1 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qd1-e2 h6-h5 23.Kh2-g2 Ne7-c6 24.Ne3-d5 Bf6-d8 25.Qe2-e3 Bd7-h3+ 26.Kg2-g1 Bh3-g4 27.Ra1-c1 Qc8-b7 28.Kg1-g2 Rf8-e8 29.Rc1-d1 0.28/13 ] 22...Bf6-g7 [Houdini annotates: 22...Kg8-g7 23.h4-h5 a6-a5 24.Rg1-h1 g6xh5 25.Qd1-e2 Bd7-h3 26.Bc4-b5 Qc8-e6 27.Bb5-c4 Qe6-d7 28.Bc4-b5 Qd7-c8 29.Kh2-g1 Qc8-e6 30.Ne3-c4 0.09/13 ] 23.h4-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 23.Nf3-d2 Kg8-h8 24.Ne3-d5 Ne7xd5 25.Bc4xd5

23...Kg8-h8 [Houdini annotates: 23...Kg8-h8 [Houdini annotates: 23...g6xh5 24.Rg1-h1 Bd7-g4 25.Kh2-g2 Rf8-d8 26.a4-a5 Rd8-e8 27.Qd1-e2 Ne7-c6 28.c2-c3 b4xc3 29.b2xc3 Qc8-b7 30.Ne3-f5 Bg4xf5 31.e4xf5 0.14/14 ] 24.Rg1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 24.Qd1-e2 g6-g5 25.Nf3-d2 f7-f5 26.e4xf5 Ne7xf5 27.Ne3xf5 Bd7xf5 28.f2-f3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trq+-tr-mk0{ 9+-+-+-vl-0 179 9+-+-+-vl-0 9p+-zp-+-zp0 9+-zp-zplzpP0 9PzpL+-+-+0 9+-+P+PzP-0 9-zPPsNQ+-mK0 9tR-+-+-tR-0 xiiiiiiiiy Bd7-g4 26.f2-f3 Bg4-e6 27.Bd5xe6 Qc8xe6 28.Qd1-e2 Kh8-g8 29.Nd2-c4 b4-b3 30.c2-c3 h6-h5 31.Kh2-g2 Qe6-d7 32.Rg1-h1 0.18/14 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bf5-e6 29.Bc4xe6 Qc8xe6 30.Nd2-e4 Bf5-e6 29.Bc4xe6 Qc8xe6 30.Nd2-e4 Rb8-b7 31.a4-a5 0.17/12 ] 24...f7-f5? [ ¹24...g6xh5 and Black can hope to survive 25.Nf3-h4 Bd7-g4² ; Houdini annotates: 24...g6-g5 25.g3-g4 Kh8-g8 26.Nf3-d2 Qc8-b7 27.Qd1-f3 Ne7-c6 28.Bc4-d5 Nc6-d4 29.Bd5xb7 Nd4xf3+ 30.Nd2xf3 Rb8xb7 -0.09/11 ] 25.Nf3-h4 [ Houdini annotates: 25.h5xg6 f5-f4 26.g3xf4 e5xf4 27.Ne3-d5 Ne7xd5 28.Bc4xd5 Bg7xb2 29.e4-e5 Kh8-g7 30.Ra1-b1 Bb2-c3 31.e5xd6 Bd7-c6 32.Bd5-e4 Qc8-d7 33.Qd1-e2 Bc6xa4 34.Rb1-g1 Qd7xd6 35.Kh2-h1 0.67/10 ] 25...Bd7-c6 [Houdini annotates: 25...Bd7-c6 26.h5xg6 f5-f4 27.Ne3-d5 Bc6xd5 28.Bc4xd5 Ne7xd5 29.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-d7 31.Qd1-e2 b4-b3 32.c2-c4 Rf8-f6 33.Rg2-f2

254

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf6xf2+ 34.Qe2xf2 Rb8-f8 35.Qf2-d2 Kh8-g8 36.a4-a5 h6-h5 37.Ra1-e1 0.60/12 ] 26.h5xg6 [Houdini annotates: 26.Ne3-d5 Bc6xd5 27.Bc4xd5 g6xh5 28.Bd5-c4 Qc8-c6 29.Qd1xh5 f5xe4 30.d3xe4 Qc6xe4 31.Bc4-d3 Qe4-d4 32.Nh4-g6+ Ne7xg6 33.Qh5xg6 Kh8-g8 34.Qg6-h7+ Kg8-f7 35.Ra1-e1 Qd4-g4 36.Bd3xa6 b4-b3 37.Ba6-b5 b3xc2 38.Qh7xc2 0.62/12 ] 26...f5-f4 [Houdini annotates: 26...f5-f4 27.Ne3-d5 Bc6xd5 28.Bc4xd5 Ne7xd5 29.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-d7 31.Qd1-e2 Qd7-b7 32.Qe2-h5 Qb7-d7 33.Rg2-e2 b4-b3 34.c2-c3 Rf8-f6 35.g3-g4 Qd7-b7 36.Nh4-f5 Qb7xd5 0.63/15 ] 27.Ne3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 27.Ne3-f5 Ne7xf5 28.e4xf5 Rf8xf5 29.Bc4xa6 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-f8 31.Nh4xf5 Qf8xf5 32.Qd1-e2 Bc6xg2 33.Kh2xg2 Qf5xg6 34.Qe2-e4 Qg6-g5 35.Ra1-f1 Rb8-f8 36.Rf1xf8+ Bg7xf8 37.Qe4-e2 Kh8-g7 38.a4-a5 0.48/12 ] 27...Ne7xd5 [Houdini annotates: 27...Bc6xd5 28.Bc4xd5 Ne7xd5 29.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-d7 31.Qd1-e2 Qd7-b7 32.Qe2-h5 Qb7-d7 33.a4-a5 Kh8-g8 34.Qh5-e2 Qd7-b7 35.Qe2-e4 Qb7-d7 36.Rg2-d2 h6-h5 37.Ra1-e1 Qd7-g4 0.63/15 ] 28.Bc4xd5 [ 28.e4xd5 Bc6-d7+- ; Houdini annotates: 28.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 29.f2xg3 Bc6-d7 30.Qd1-e2 Bd7-g4 31.Qe2-e3 Qc8-b7 32.Rg2-g1 Rf8-f6 33.Rg1-f1 Rb8-f8 34.Rf1xf6 Rf8xf6 35.Ra1-h1 Kh8-g8 0.53/14 ] 28...Bc6xd5 [Houdini annotates: 28...f4xg3+ 29.f2xg3 Bc6xd5 30.e4xd5 Qc8-d7 31.Qd1-e2 Qd7-b7

255 32.Qe2-h5 Qb7-d7 33.a4-a5 Kh8-g8 34.g3-g4 b4-b3 35.Nh4-f5 b3xc2 36.Rg2xc2 Rb8-b3 37.Rc2-d2 Rf8-b8 38.Ra1-a2 Rb8-f8 39.Kh2-g2 0.56/15 ] 29.e4xd5 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-d7 29.e4xd5 f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-d7 31.Qd1-e2 Qd7-b7 32.Qe2-h5 Qb7-d7 33.Rg2-e2 b4-b3 34.c2-c3 Rf8-f6 35.Nh4-f3 Rb8-f8 36.Re2-f2 Qd7-e8 37.Ra1-a3 e5-e4 38.d3xe4 Rf6xg6 0.38/12 ] 29...c5-c4 [Houdini annotates: 29...f4xg3+ 30.f2xg3 Qc8-b7 31.Qd1-h5 Qb7-d7 32.Qh5-e2 Qd7-b7 33.Qe2-h5 Qb7-d7 0.52/13 ] 30.g3-g4 [Houdini annotates: 30.g3-g4 Qc8-c5 31.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 32.Rg2-g3 Qc5xd5 33.d3xc4 Qd5-e6 34.Nh4-f5 Rf8-f6 35.Qd1xf3 Qe6xc4 36.Qf3-e3 Rb8-f8 37.b2-b3 Qc4-c6 38.c2-c3 b4xc3 39.Qe3xc3 Qc6xc3 40.Rg3xc3 Rf6xg6 0.41/12 ] 30...f4-f3 [ 30...Qc8-c5 31.g4-g5 f4-f3 32.Nh4xf3 Qc5xd5 33.Nf3-e1 c4xd3 34.g5xh6 ( 34.Ne1xd3?! e5-e4 35.g5xh6 Bg7xh6³ ) 34...Bg7xh6 35.g6-g7+ Bh6xg7 36.Qd1-h5+ Kh8-g8 37.Ne1xd3² ;Houdini annotates: 30...Qc8-c5 31.Kh2-g1 f4-f3 32.Rg2-g3 Qc5xd5 33.d3xc4 Qd5-e6 34.Nh4-f5 Rf8-f6 35.Qd1xf3 Qe6xc4 36.Qf3-e3 Rb8-f8 37.b2-b3 Qc4-c6 38.c2-c3 b4xc3 39.Qe3xc3 Qc6xc3 40.Rg3xc3 Rf6xg6 0.60/13 ] 31.Rg2-g3 [Houdini annotates: 31.Nh4xf3 Qc8-c5 32.g4-g5 Qc5xd5 33.Rg2-g3 c4xd3 34.c2xd3 Qd5-e6 35.g5xh6 Bg7xh6 36.Kh2-g1 Kh8-g7 37.Qd1-e2 Bh6-f4 38.Nf3-d4 Qe6-d5 0.76/12 ] 31...b4-b3 [Houdini annotates: 31...Qc8-c5 32.Rg3xf3 Qc5xd5 33.Rf3xf8+ Rb8xf8 34.Nh4-f5 e5-e4 35.d3xc4 Qd5-e6 36.Qd1-d5 Qe6xg6 37.Qd5xe4 Rf8-e8 38.Qe4-b7 Bg7xb2 39.Ra1-g1 Bb2-e5+ 40.Kh2-h1 a6-a5

256 0.59/13 ] 32.c2-c3 [ 32.Nh4xf3 b3xc2 33.Qd1xc2 e5-e4 34.Qc2xc4 Qc8xc4 ( 34...Rf8xf3?! is the less attractive alternative 35.Rg3xf3 e4xf3 36.Qc4xc8+ Rb8xc8 37.Kh2-g3-+ ; 34...e4xf3?! 35.Qc4-c6-+ ) 35.d3xc4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rb8xb2-+ ( 35...Rf8xf3?! is clearly weaker 36.Rg3xf3 e4xf3 37.Kh2-g3-+ );Houdini annotates: 32.c2-c3 Qc8-c5 33.Rg3xf3 Qc5xd5 34.Nh4-f5 Qd5-e6 35.d3xc4 Qe6xg6 36.Rf3-h3 Rb8-c8 37.f2-f3 Rf8xf5 38.g4xf5 Qg6xf5 39.Kh2-g2 e5-e4 40.Qd1xd6 Rc8-g8 41.Rh3-g3 e4xf3+ 42.Kg2-f1 0.87/13 ] 32...Rf8-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 32...Qc8-c5 33.Rg3xf3 Qc5xd5 34.Nh4-f5 Qd5-e6 35.d3xc4 Qe6xg6 36.Rf3-h3 Qg6-g5 37.f2-f3 Qg5-f4+ 38.Kh2-g1 e5-e4 39.f3xe4 Qf4xe4 40.Nf5xd6 Qe4-f4 41.Kg1-h1 Rb8-d8 0.96/12 ] 33.Nh4-f5 [Houdini annotates: 33.Nh4-f5 Rf4xg4 34.Rg3xg4 Qc8xf5 35.Rg4-g3 c4xd3 36.Qd1xf3 Rb8-f8 37.Qf3xf5 Rf8xf5 38.Kh2-g2 e5-e4 39.Rg3-e3 Rf5-g5+ 40.Kg2-h3 Rg5xg6 41.Re3xe4 Rg6-g5 42.Ra1-d1 Rg5xd5 43.Re4-e7 Bg7-f6 1.38/13 ] 33...c4xd3 [Houdini annotates: 33...Bg7-f8 34.Nf5-e3 c4xd3 35.Qd1xd3 Qc8-e8 36.Rg3-h3 Bf8-g7 37.a4-a5 Kh8-g8 38.Qd3xa6 Qe8xg6 39.Qa6-a7 Rb8-d8 40.a5-a6 Rf4-f7 1.27/12 ] 34.Qd1xd3 [Houdini annotates: 34.Qd1xd3 e5-e4 35.Qd3-e3 Rf4xf5 36.g4xf5 Qc8xf5 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 a6-a5 39.Rg3-g4 Rb8-f8 40.Qe3xe4 Qd5-d2 41.Qe4-b1 h6-h5 42.Rg4-g3 h5-h4 43.Rg3-g4 Kh8-g8 44.Qb1-d1 1.47/15 ] 34...e5-e4 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 34...e5-e4 35.Qd3-e3 Rf4xf5 36.g4xf5 Qc8xf5 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 Qd5-e5 39.Qe3xe4 Qe5xe4 40.Re1xe4 Bg7xc3 41.Re4-e3 Bc3-e5 42.Rg3xf3 Rb8-b4 43.Rf3-f7 Rb4xa4 44.Kg1-f1 Ra4-g4 45.Re3xb3 Rg4xg6 46.Rb3-b7 Kh8-g8 47.Rf7-d7 Rg6-f6

257 48.Kf1-e2 Rf6-f8 2.06/15 ] 35.Qd3-e3 [Houdini annotates: 35.Qd3-e3 Rf4xf5 36.g4xf5 Qc8xf5

Levon Aronian's Best Games

258 44.Rf3xb3 Rb8-c8 45.Rb3-b7 Bg7-e5 46.Rg3-g6 h6-h5 47.Rg6-h6+ Kh8-g8 48.Rb7-a7 Rc8-c1+ 49.Kg1-g2 Rc1-c2 50.Ra7xa6 1.75/13 ] 37.Ra1-e1

XIIIIIIIIY 9-trq+-+-mk0 9+-+-+-vl-0 180 9p+-zp-+Pzp0 9+-+P+N+-0 9P+-+ptrP+0 9+pzPQ+ptR-0

9-zP-+-zP-mK0 9tR-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 a6-a5 39.Rg3-g4 Rb8-f8 40.Qe3xe4 Qd5-d2 41.Qe4-b1 d6-d5 42.Rg4-g3 Kh8-g8 43.Re1-e7 Qd2-c2 44.Qb1-a1 h6-h5 45.Qa1-e1 Qc2xb2 46.Qe1e6+ Kg8-h8 47.Qe6xd5 Qb2a1+ 48.Kg1-h2 1.50/15 ] 35...Rf4xf5 [ Houdini annotates: 35...Rf4xf5 36.g4xf5 Qc8xf5 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 Qd5-e5 39.Qe3xe4 Qe5xe4 40.Re1xe4 Bg7xc3 41.Re4-e3 Bc3-e5 42.Rg3xf3 Rb8-b4 43.Rf3-f7 Rb4xa4 44.Kg1-f1 Ra4-g4 45.Re3xb3 Rg4xg6 46.Rb3-b7 Kh8-g8 47.Rf7-d7 Rg6-f6 48.Kf1-e2 Rf6-f8 2.06/15 ] 36.g4xf5 [Houdini annotates: 36.g4xf5 Qc8xf5 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 a6-a5 39.Rg3-g4 Rb8-f8 40.Qe3xe4 Qd5-d2 41.Qe4b1 h6-h5 42.Rg4-g3 h5-h4 43.Rg3g4 Kh8-g8 44.Qb1-d1 1.46/12 ] 36...Qc8xf5 [Houdini annotates: 36...Qc8xf5 37.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 Qd5-c6 39.Qe3xe4 Qc6xe4 40.Re1xe4 Bg7xc3 41.Re4-e3 Bc3xb2 42.Re3xf3 Bb2-c3 43.g6-g7+ Bc3xg7

259

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ ¹37.Qe3-a7 seems even better Rb8-e8 38.Ra1-e1 Qf5xd5+- ; Houdini annotates: 37.Kh2-g1 Qf5xd5 38.Ra1-e1 Qd5-c6 39.Qe3xe4 Qc6xe4 40.Re1xe4 Bg7xc3 41.Re4-e3 Bc3xb2 42.Re3xf3 Bb2-c3 43.g6-g7+ Bc3xg7 44.Rf3xb3 Rb8-c8 45.Rb3-b7 Bg7-e5 46.Rg3-g6 h6-h5 47.Rg6-h6+ Kh8-g8 48.Rb7-a7 Rc8-c1+ 49.Kg1-g2 Rc1-c2 50.Ra7xa6 1.50/14 ] 37...Rb8-e8? [ 37...Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-h1 Qd5-b7+- ; Houdini annotates: 37...Qf5xd5 38.Kh2-g1 a6-a5 39.Rg3-g4 Rb8-f8 40.Qe3xe4 Qd5-d2 41.Qe4-b1 h6-h5 42.Rg4-g3 h5-h4 43.Rg3-g4 Kh8-g8 44.Qb1-d1 1.66/12 ] 38.Rg3xf3 Sacrifices material [ ¹38.Kh2-g1 and White has it in the bag Qf5xd5 39.Qe3xf3+- ;Houdini annotates: 38.Kh2-g1 Qf5-e5 39.Qe3-a7 Qe5xd5 40.Rg3xf3 Qd5-e6 41.Rf3-g3 d6-d5 42.Qa7-b7 Kh8-g8 43.Re1-d1 Re8-d8 44.Qb7xb3 Bg7-e5 45.Rg3-g2 Be5-c7 46.Qb3-b7 2.59/13 ] 38...Bg7-e5+= [ Houdini annotates: 38...Bg7-e5+ 39.Rf3-g3 Be5xg3+ 40.f2xg3 Kh8-g7 41.c3-c4 Kg7xg6 42.Kh2-g1 Qf5-e5 43.Re1-e2 h6-h5 44.a4-a5 Re8-e7 45.Kg1-g2 Qe5-f5 46.Re2-f2 Qf5-e5 47.Kg2-g1 Re7-f7 48.Rf2xf7 Kg6xf7 49.Qe3xb3 e4-e3 0.17/15 ] 39.Rf3-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 39.Rf3-g3 Be5xg3+ 40.f2xg3 Kh8-g7 41.c3-c4 Kg7xg6 42.Kh2-g1 Qf5-e5 43.Re1-e2 h6-h5 44.Kg1-g2 a6-a5 45.Qe3xb3 e4-e3 46.c4-c5 d6xc5 47.Qb3-c2+ Qe5-e4+ 48.Qc2xe4+ Re8xe4 49.Kg2-f3 Re4-d4 50.Re2xe3 Rd4xd5 0.09/14 ] 39...Qf5xg6 [ 39...Be5-f4 40.Qe3-d4+ Bf4-e5 41.Qd4-a7 Be5xg3+ 42.f2xg3

( ‹42.Kh2xg3 Qf5xg6+ 43.Kg3-h4 Qg6-g5+ 44.Kh4-h3 Qg5-h5+ 45.Kh3-g2 Re8-g8+ 46.Qa7-g7+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rg8xg7+ 47.Kg2-f1 Qh5h3+ Rg8xg7+ 47.Kg2-f1 Qh5h3+ 48.Kf1-e2 Qh3-d3# ) 42...Qf5h5+ 43.Kh2-g1 Qh5xg6 44.Re1e3² ( 44.Qa7xa6?? is impossible because of the following mate in 4 Qg6xg3+ 45.Kg1-f1 Qg3-f3+ 46.Kf1-g1 Re8g8+ 47.Kg1-h2 Qf3-g2# );Houdini annotates: 39...Be5xg3+ 40.Qe3xg3 Qf5xd5 41.c3-c4 Qd5-h5+ 42.Kh2-g1 Re8e6 43.g6-g7+ Kh8-g8 44.Qg3xb3 Kg8xg7 45.Qb3-b7+ Kg7-h8 46.Qb7b8+ Kh8-h7 47.Qb8-a7+ Kh7g8 48.Qa7-b8+ Kg8-f7 49.Qb8c7+ Kf7-g6 50.Qc7-b8 Qh5-g4+ 51.Kg1f1 Kg6-h5 52.Qb8-a8 Re6-e5 0.14/13 ] 40.Kh2-g2 [Houdini annotates: 40.Re1-f1 Be5xg3+ 41.f2xg3 a6a5 42.Qe3-d4+ Re8-e5 43.Qd4a7 Re5-e8 44.Qa7-e3 Kh8-g8 45.Kh2g2 h6-h5 46.Rf1-f4 Re8-e7 47.c3-c4 Kg8-h7 48.Kg2-h3 Re7-e8 49.Kh3h2 Kh7-g8 50.Rf4-f2 Kg8-h7 51.Rf2f4 Kh7-g8 0.15/13 ] 40...Be5xg3 [ Houdini annotates: 40...Be5xg3 41.f2xg3 Kh8-g7 42.Re1-f1 Kg7-

260 g8 43.c3-c4 a6-a5 44.Rf1-f2 Kg8-h7 45.Rf2-f4 h6-h5 46.Kg2-h2 Kh7-g8 47.Rf4-f2 Kg8-h7 48.Rf2-f4 Kh7-g8 0.28/17 ] 41.f2xg3 Black has a new passed pawn: e4. [Houdini annotates: 41.f2xg3 Kh8-g7 42.Re1-f1 h6-h5 43.Rf1-f4 Kg7-h7 44.c3-c4 a6-a5 45.Kg2-h2 Kh7-g8 46.Rf4-f2 Kg8-h7 47.Kh2-g2 Re8-g8 48.Kg2-f1 0.15/15 ] 41...Kh8-g8 [Houdini annotates : 41...Kh8-g7 42.Re1-f1 h6-h5 43.Rf1-f4 Kg7-h7 44.c3-c4 a6-a5 45.Kg2-h2 Kh7-g8 46.Rf4-f2 Kg8-h7 47.Rf2-f1 Qg6-g7 48.Qe3xb3 e4-e3 49.Qb3-c2+ Kh7-h6 50.Qc2-e2 0.26/14 ] 42.Re1-f1 [Houdini annotates: 42.c3-c4 h6-h5 43.Qe3xb3 h5-h4 44.Qb3-e3 Qg6-g4 45.Re1-f1 Re8-b8 46.Rf1-f2 h4xg3 47.Qe3xg3 Qg4xg3+ 48.Kg2xg3 Rb8-b3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 49.Kg3-f4 e4-e3 50.Rf2-e2 Kg8-f7 51.Re2xe3 Rb3xb2 0.38/13 ] 42...Re8-f8 [Houdini annotates: 42...h6-h5 43.Rf1-f4 a6-a5 44.Kg2-h1 Re8-f8 45.Rf4xe4 Qg6-f5 46.Qe3-d3 Qf5-h3+ 47.Kh1-g1 Qh3-f5 48.Qd3-e2 Qf5xd5 49.Re4-e7 Qd5-c5+ 50.Kg1-g2 Qc5-d5+ 51.Kg2-h2 Rf8-f7 52.Re7xf7 Qd5xf7 53.Kh2-g1 Qf7-d5 54.Qe2-e7 Qd5-e5 55.Qe7xe5 d6xe5 0.11/13 ] 43.Rf1xf8+ [Houdini annotates : 43.Rf1xf8+ Kg8xf8 44.c3-c4 Qg6-f6 45.Qe3xb3 Kf8-g7 46.Qb3-c3 Qf6xc3 47.b2xc3 h6-h5 48.Kg2-f2 Kg7-f6 49.Kf2-e3 Kf6-f5 50.Ke3-e2 Kf5-f6 51.Ke2-f2 Kf6-f5 52.Kf2-e3 a6-a5 53.Ke3-d4 0.52/15 ] 43...Kg8xf8 A queen endgame occured [ Houdini annotates: 43...Kg8xf8 44.c3-c4 h6-h5 45.Qe3xb3 h5-h4 46.c4-c5 d6xc5 47.Qb3-b8+ Kf8-e7 48.Qb8-c7+ Ke7-e8 49.Qc7-c8+ Ke8-f7 50.Qc8-d7+ Kf7-g8 51.Qd7-d8+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wQ-+k+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 181 9p+-+-+q+0 181 9+-zpP+-+-0 9P+-+p+-zp0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-zP-+-+K+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg8-f7 52.Qd8xh4 Qg6-f5 53.Qh4-f4

261 Ke8-f7 50.Qc8-d7+ Kf7-g8 Ke8-f7 50.Qc8-d7+ Kf7-g8 51.Qd7-d8+ Kg8-f7 52.Qd8xh4 Qg6-f5 53.Qh4-f4 Qf5xf4 54.g3xf4 Kf7-e7 0.46/14 ] 44...Kf8-e8 [ 44...Kf8-g7!?± ; Houdini annotates: 44...Kf8-g7 45.Kg2-f2 Qg6-h5 46.Qf4xe4 Qh5-h2+ 47.Qe4-g2 Qh2-h5 48.Kf2-e3 Qh5-g4 49.a4-a5 Kg7-f6 50.Qg2-f3+ Qg4xf3+ 51.Ke3xf3 Kf6-e5 52.Kf3-g4 Ke5xd5 53.Kg4-f5 Kd5-c4 54.Kf5-g6 d6-d5 55.Kg6xh6 d5-d4 0.42/14 ] 45.Kg2-f2 [ Houdini annotates: 45.Kg2-f2 Ke8-d7 46.Kf2-e3 a6-a5 47.g3-g4 h6-h5 48.g4-g5 Kd7-d8 49.c3-c4 Kd8-d7 50.Qf4-f6 Qg6xf6 51.g5xf6 h5-h4 52.Ke3xe4 Kd7-e8 53.Ke4-f3 Ke8-f7 54.Kf3-g4 Kf7xf6 55.Kg4xh4 Kf6-f5 56.Kh4-g3 Kf5-e4 57.Kg3-f2 0.60/17 ] 45...h6-h5 [ 45...Ke8-d7 46.a4-a5+- ;Houdini annotates: 45...Ke8-d7 46.Kf2-e3 a6-a5 47.g3-g4 h6-h5 48.g4-g5 Kd7-d8 49.c3-c4 Kd8-d7 50.Qf4-f6 Qg6xf6 51.g5xf6 h5-h4 52.Ke3xe4 Kd7-e8 53.Ke4-f3 Ke8-f7 54.Kf3-g4 Kf7xf6 55.Kg4xh4 Kf6-e5 56.Kh4-g5 Ke5-d4 0.72/14 ] 46.Kf2-e3+- [Houdini annotates: 46.Kf2-e3 Ke8-d8 47.a4-a5 Kd8-d7 46.Kf2-e3 Ke8-d8 47.a4-a5 Kd8-d7 48.Ke3-d4 Kd7-d8 49.Qf4-h4+ Kd8-d7 50.Qh4xe4 Qg6xg3 51.Qe4-f5+ Kd7-d8 52.Qf5-f8+ Kd8-d7 53.Qf8-f7+ Kd7-d8 54.Qf7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 55.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 56.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 57.Qe2-g2 Qf7-f4 58.Qg2-g8+ Kd8-c7 59.Qg8-g1 Kc7-d8 60.Qg1-b6+ Kd8-d7 61.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-d8 62.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 63.Kd3-e2 Qf5-g4+ 64.Ke2-d2 Qg4-f4+ 65.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 66.Kc2-c1 Qf5-f4+ 67.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e4+ Qf5xf4 54.g3xf4 Kf7-e7 0.58/13 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44.Qe3-f4+ [Houdini annotates: 44.c3-c4 h6-h5 45.Qe3xb3 h5-h4 46.c4-c5 d6xc5 47.Qb3-b8+ Kf8-e7 48.Qb8-c7+ Ke7-e8 49.Qc7-c8+

262 68.Kb1-a2 0.96/19 ] 46...Ke8-d7 68.Kb1-a2 0.96/19 ] 46...Ke8-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 46...Ke8-d8 47.a4-a5 Kd8-d7 48.Ke3-d4 Kd7-d8 49.Qf4-h4+ Kd8-d7 50.Qh4xe4 Qg6xg3 51.Qe4-f5+ Kd7-d8 52.Qf5-f8+ Kd8-d7 53.Qf8-f7+ Kd7-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 54.Qf7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 55.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 56.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 57.Qe2-g2 Kd8-c7 58.Kd3-c4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-mk-+q+-0 182 9p+-zp-+-+0 182 9zP-+P+-+-0 9-+K+-+-+0 9+pzP-+-+-0 9-zP-+-+Q+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qf7-e8 59.Kc4xb3 Qe8-b5+ 60.Kb3-c2 Qb5xa5 61.Qg2-g7+ Kc7-b6 62.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 64.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 65.Kc2-d3 Kc7-b6 66.Kd3-c4 Kb6-c7 67.Kc4-d4 Kc7-b6 68.Kd4-c4 Kb6-c7 1.03/17 ] 47.a4-a5 [Houdini annotates: 47.a4-a5 Kd7-c7 48.Ke3-d4 Kc7-d7 49.Qf4xe4 Qg6xg3 50.Qe4-f5+ Kd7-d8 51.Qf5-f8+ Kd8-d7 52.Qf8-f7+ Kd7-d8 53.Qf7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 54.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 55.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 56.Qe2-g2 Qf7-f4 57.Qg2-g8+ Kd8-c7 58.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 59.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 60.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 61.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 62.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 63.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 64.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-e8 65.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 66.Kd3-d2 Qf5-f4+ 67.Kd2-e1 0.96/18 ] 47...Kd7-c8 [Houdini annotates:

263 Kc7-d8 58.Qg1-b6+ Kd8-d7 Kc7-d8 58.Qg1-b6+ Kd8-d7 59.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-d8 60.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 61.Kd3-e2 Qf5-e4+ 62.Ke2-d2 Qe4-f4+ 63.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 64.Kc2-c1 Qf5-f4+ 65.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e4+ 66.Kb1-a2 1.06/15 ] 48.Ke3-d4 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Ke3-d4 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Ke3-d4 Kc8-b7 49.Qf4xe4 Qg6xg3 50.Qe4-e7+ Kb7-c8 51.Qe7-e8+ Kc8-c7 52.Qe8-f7+ Kc7-d8 53.Qf7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 54.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 55.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 56.Qe2-g2 Qf7-f4 57.Qg2-g8+ Kd8-c7 58.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 59.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 60.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 61.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 62.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 63.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 64.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-d8 65.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 66.Kd3-e2 Qf5-e4+ 67.Ke2-d2 Qe4-f4+ 68.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 69.Kc2-c1 Qf5-f4+ 70.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e4+ 71.Kb1-a2 0.96/18 47...Kd7-d8 48.Ke3-d4 Qg6-g7+ 49.Kd4xe4 Qg7-h7+ 50.Qf4-f5 Qh7-g8 51.Ke4-d4 Qg8xg3 52.Qf5xh5 Qg3-f4+ 53.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 54.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 55.Qe2-g2 Qf7-f4 56.Qg2-g8+ Kd8-c7 57.Qg8-g1

Levon Aronian's Best Games ] 48...Kc8-c7 [Houdini annotates: ] 48...Kc8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 48...Kc8-b7 49.Qf4xe4 Qg6xg3 50.Qe4-e7+ Kb7-c8 51.Qe7-e8+ Kc8-c7 52.Qe8-f7+ Kc7-d8 53.Qf7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 54.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 55.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 56.Qe2-g2 Kd8-c7 57.Kd3-c4 Qf7-e8 58.Kc4xb3 Qe8-b5+ 59.Kb3-c2 Qb5xa5 60.Qg2-e4 Kc7-b6 61.Qe4-c4 Qa5-c5 62.Qc4-b4+ Qc5xb4 63.c3xb4 Kb6-c7 64.Kc2-d3 Kc7-d7 65.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 66.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 67.b2-b3 Kd7-c8 68.Ke4-d3 Kc8-c7 69.Kd3-e4 Kc7-d7 1.03/15 ] 49.Qf4xe4 [Houdini annotates: 49.Qf4xe4 Qg6xg3 50.Qe4-h7+ Kc7-c8 51.Qh7xh5 Qg3f4+ 52.Kd4-d3 Kc8-d8 53.Qh5h8+ Kd8-c7 54.Qh8-h7+ Kc7d8 55.Qh7-g8+ Kd8-c7 56.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 57.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 58.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 59.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 60.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 61.Qc6b6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qb6-b7+ Kd7e8 63.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 64.Kd3-d2

264

265

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qf5-f4+ 65.Kd2-e1 1.03/20 ] 49...Qg6xg3 [Houdini annotates: 49...Qg6xg3 50.Qe4-h7+ Kc7-c8 51.Qh7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 52.Kd4-d3 Kc8-d8 53.Qh5-h8+ Kd8-d7 54.c3-c4 Qf4-g3+ 55.Kd3-d2 Kd7-e7 56.Qh8-h7+ Ke7-d8 57.Qh7-d3 Qg3-g7 58.Qd3xb3 Qg7-d4+ 59.Kd2-c1 Qd4-g1+ 60.Qb3-d1 Qg1-f2 61.Qd1-g4 Qf2-e1+ 62.Kc1-c2 Qe1xa5 63.Qg4-h4+ Kd8-d7 64.Qh4-h7+ Kd7-d8 1.24/19 ] 50.Qe4-h7+ [Houdini annotates: 50.Qe4-h7+ Kc7-c8 51.Qh7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 52.Kd4-d3 Kc8-d8 53.Qh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 54.Qh8-h7+ Kc7-d8 55.Qh7-g8+ Kd8-c7 56.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 57.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 58.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 59.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 60.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 61.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-e8 63.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 64.Kd3-d2 Qf5-f4+ 65.Kd2-e1 0.97/18 ] 50...Kc7-d8 [Houdini annotates: 50...Kc7-c8 51.Qh7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 52.Kd4-d3 Kc8-d8 53.Qh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 54.Qh8-h7+ Kc7-d8 55.Qh7-g8+ Kd8-c7 56.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 57.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 58.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 59.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 60.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 61.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qb6-a7+ Kd7-d8 63.Qa7-b8+ Kd8-d7 64.Qb8-b7+ Kd7-d8 65.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f1+ 66.Kd3-d2 Kd8-c8 67.Qb3-d1 Qf1-f4+ 68.Kd2-d3 Qf4-f5+ 69.Kd3-e3 Qf5-e5+ 70.Ke3-f3 1.12/19 ] 51.Qh7-h8+ [ Houdini annotates: 51.Qh7xh5 Qg3-f4+ 52.Kd4-d3 Qf4-f1+ 53.Qh5-e2 Qf1-f7 54.Qe2-g2 Qf7-f4 55.Qg2-g1 Kd8-c8 56.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 57.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 58.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7

59.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 60.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 61.Qb6-a7+ Kd7-d8 62.Qa7-b8+ Kd8-d7 63.Qb8xb3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qf4-f5+ 64.Kd3-d2 Qf5-f4+ 65.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 64.Kd3-d2 Qf5-f4+ 65.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 66.Kc2-c1 Qf5-f4+ 67.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e4+ 68.Kb1-a2 1.01/18 ] 51...Kd8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 51...Kd8-c7 52.Qh8xh5 Qg3-g1+ 53.Kd4-d3 Qg1-b1+ 54.Kd3-c4 Qb1-f1+ 55.Kc4xb3 Qf1-b5+ 56.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 57.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 58.Qh5-h7+ Kc7-b6 59.Qh7-e4 Qa5-a2 60.Kd2-c2 a6-a5 61.Qe4-e3+ Kb6-a6 62.Qe3-e2+ Ka6-b6 63.Qe2-f2+ Kb6-b7 64.Qf2-f5 Qa2-a4+ 65.Kc2-c1 1.01/15 ] 52.Qh8xh5 [Houdini annotates: 52.Qh8xh5 Qg3-g1+ 53.Kd4-d3 Qg1-b1+ 54.Kd3-c4 Qb1-f1+ 55.Kc4xb3 Qf1-b5+ 56.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 57.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 58.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 59.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 60.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 61.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 62.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 63.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 64.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 65.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 66.Kd4-e4 Kd8-e7 67.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 68.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 0.94/19 ] 52...Qg3-f2+ [Houdini annotates: 52...Qg3-g1+ 53.Kd4-d3 Qg1-b1+ 54.Kd3-c4 Qb1-f1+ 55.Kc4xb3 Qf1-b5+ 56.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 57.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 58.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 59.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 60.Qg8g7+ Kb7-b6 61.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 62.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 63.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 64.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 65.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 66.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 67.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 68.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 69.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 70.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 71.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 1.02/19 ] 53.Kd4-c4 [Houdini annotates: 53.Kd4-d3 Qf2-f4 54.Qh5-h7+ Kc7-d8 55.Qh7-g8+ Kd8-c7 56.Qg8-g1 Kc7-c8 57.Qg1-e3 Qf4-f1+ 58.Qe3-e2 Qf1-f4 59.Qe2-e8+ Kc8-c7 60.Qe8-c6+ Kc7-d8 61.Qc6-

266 b6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-d8 63.Qb7xb3 Qf4-f5+ 64.Kd3-e2 Qf5-e4+ 65.Ke2-d2 Qe4-g2+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 66.Kd2-d3 Qg2-h3+ 67.Kd3-e2 Qh3-h5+ 68.Ke2-e1 Qh5-e5+ 69.Ke1-d2 Qe5-f4+ 70.Kd2-c2 Qf4-f5+ 71.Kc2-c1 Qf5-f1+ 72.Qb3-d1 Qf1-f4+ 73.Kc1-b1 Qf4-e4+ 74.Kb1-a2 0.97/17 ] 53...Qf2-c5+ [ 53...Qf2xb2? is no good because of 54.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-d8 55.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-e8 56.Qf6-e6+ Ke8-f8 57.Qe6xd6+ Kf8-g7 58.Qd6-c7+ Kg7-f6 59.d5-d6+- ; Houdini annotates: 53...Qf2-c5+ 54.Kc4xb3 Qc5-b5+ 55.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.Ke4-f5 Ke7-d7 70.Kf5-e4 Kd7-e7 1.02/20 ] 54.Kc4xb3 [ Houdini annotates: 54.Kc4xb3 Qc5-b5+ 55.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.Ke4-f5 Ke7-d7 70.Kf5-e4 Kd7-e7 0.94/21 ] 54...Qc5-b5+ [Houdini annotates : 54...Qc5-b5+ 55.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 70.Ke4-d4

267 Kf6-f5 1.02/19 ] 55.Kb3-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 55.Kb3-c2 Qb5-a4+ 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 0.94/21 ] 55...Qb5-a4+ [ Houdini annotates: 55...Qb5-a4+ 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 1.02/19 ] 56.Kc2-d2 [Houdini annotates: 56.Kc2-d2 Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.Ke4-f5 Ke7-d7 70.Kf5-e4 Kd7-e7 0.94/19 ] 56...Qa4xa5 [Houdini annotates : 56...Qa4xa5 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.Ke4-f5 Ke7-d7 70.Kf5-e4 Kd7-e7 1.02/19 ] 57.Qh5-f7+ [Houdini annotates : 57.Qh5-f7+ Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4

268 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 0.94/18 ] 57...Kc7-b6 [Houdini annotates: 57...Kc7-b6 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-d7 68.Kd4-e4 Kd7-e7 69.b2-b3 Ke7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 1.02/21 ] 58.Qf7-g8 [ Houdini annotates: 58.Qf7-g8 Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-e7 68.Kd4-e4 Ke7-f7 69.b2-b3 Kf7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 0.94/18 ] 58...Qa5-b5 [ ¹58...Kb6-b7+- ; Houdini annotates: 58...Kb6-b7 59.Qg8-g7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd4-b4+ Qa5xb4 62.c3xb4 Kb7-c7 63.Kd2-d3 Kc7-d7 64.Kd3-d4 Kd7-d8 65.Kd4-e4 Kd8-d7 66.Ke4-d3 Kd7-d8 67.Kd3-d4 Kd8-e7 68.Kd4-e4 Ke7-f7 69.b2-b3 Kf7-f6 70.Ke4-d4 Kf6-f5 1.02/18 ] 59.b2-b4 [Houdini 2. 0c : 59.b2-b4 Kb6-a7 60.Qg8-e6 Qb5-b6 61.Qe6-e3 Qb6xe3+ 62.Kd2xe3 Ka7-b6 63.Ke3-e4 a6-a5 64.b4xa5+ Kb6xa5 65.c3-c4 Ka5-a6 66.Ke4-d3 Ka6-b6 67.Kd3-d4 Kb6-c7 68.Kd4-e4 Kc7-d7 1.41/16 ] 59...Kb6-c7 [ 59...Kb6-a7 is still a small chance 60.Qg8-f7+ Qb5-b7 61.Qf7-f2+ Ka7-a8 62.Qf2-f8+ Ka8-a7 63.Qf8xd6 Qb7-g7+- ; Houdini annotates: 59...Kb6-a7 60.Qg8-e6 Qb5-b6 61.Qe6-d7+ Ka7-b8 62.Kd2-d3 a6-a5 63.Qd7-c6 Kb8-a7 64.Kd3-c4 a5xb4 65.Qc6xb6+ Ka7xb6 66.c3xb4 Kb6-c7 67.Kc4-d3 Kc7-d7 68.Kd3-d4 Kd7-c7 69.b4-b5 Kc7-b6 1.50/16 ] 60.Qg8-f7+ [ Houdini annotates: 60.Qg8-f7+

269 Kc7-b6 61.Qf7-e6 Kb6-c7 62.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-c8 63.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 72.Qf8-f6 Kb7-b8 73.Qf6-e5 Kb8-b7 74.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 75.Qe5-f5+ Qc6-d7 76.Qf5-f8+ Kc8-b7 77.Qf8-f3+ Kb7-b8 78.Qf3-d3 Qd7-e6+ 79.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 80.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 81.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 82.c4-c5 3.29/19 ] 60...Kc7-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 60...Kc7-d8 61.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qf6-e6+ Kd7-c7 63.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-c8 64.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 65.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 67.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 68.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 69.Kc1-b2 Qf1-g2+ 70.Kb2-a3 Qg2-c6 71.Qe7-e5 Kb8-b7 72.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 73.Qe5-f5+ Qc6-d7 74.Qf5-f8+ Kc8-b7 75.Qf8-f3+ Kb7-b8 76.Qf3-d3 Qd7-e6+ 77.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 78.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 79.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 80.c4-c5 3.39/20 ] 61.Qf7-f6+ [Houdini annotates: 61.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 62.Qf6-e6+ Kd7-c7 63.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-c8 64.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 65.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 67.d5-d6 Qf1-g2+ 68.Kd2-c1 Qg2-f1+ 69.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 70.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 71.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 72.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 73.Qf8-f6 Kb7-c8 74.Qf6-e6+ Kc8-b7 75.Ka3-b3 Kb7-b8 76.c3-c4 Qc6-f3+ 77.Kb3-a4 Qf3-d1+ 78.Ka4-a5 3.14/20 ] 61...Kd8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 61...Kd8-d7 62.Qf6-e6+ Kd7-c7 63.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-c8 64.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 65.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 67.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 68.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 69.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 70.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 71.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 72.Qe7-e5 Kb8-b7 73.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 74.Qe5-f5+ Qc6-d7 75.Qf5-f8+ Kc8-b7 76.Qf8-f3+ Kb7-b8

270 77.Qf3-d3 Qd7-e6+ 78.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 79.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 80.Qd4-c3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qh3-d7 81.c4-c5 3.39/21 ] 62.Qf6-e7+ [Houdini annotates: 62.Qf6-e7+ Kc7-c8 63.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 72.Qf8-f6 Kb7-b8 73.Qf6-e5 Kb8-b7 74.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 75.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 76.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 77.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 78.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 79.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 80.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 81.c4-c5 3.29/21 ] 62...Kc7-c8 [Houdini annotates: 62...Kc7-c8 63.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-e5 Kb8-b7 72.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 73.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 74.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 75.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 76.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 77.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 78.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 79.c4-c5 3.39/20 ] 63.Qe7xd6 [Houdini annotates: 63.Qe7xd6 Qb5-f1 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-d1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kd1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 72.Qf8-f6 Kb7-b8 73.Qf6-e5 Kb8-b7 74.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 75.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 76.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 77.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 78.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 79.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 80.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 81.c4-c5 3.14/17 ] 63...Qb5-f1 [ Houdini annotates: 63...Qb5-f1 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-e5 Kb8-b7 72.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8

271 73.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 74.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 75.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 76.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 77.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 78.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 79.c4-c5 3.38/18 ] 78.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 79.c4-c5 3.38/18 ] 64.Qd6-e6+ [Houdini annotates: 64.Qd6-e6+ Kc8-b7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 72.Qf8-f6 Kb7-b8 73.Qf6-e5 Kb8-b7 74.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 75.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 76.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 77.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 78.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 79.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 80.Qd4-c3 Qh3-d7 81.c4-c5 3.29/17 ] 64...Kc8-b7 [ 64...Kc8-d8 a fruitless try to alter the course of the game 65.Kd2-e3+- ;Houdini annotates: 64...Kc8-c7 65.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-b8 66.d5-d6 Qf1-f2+ 67.Kd2-c1 Qf2-f1+ 68.Kc1-c2 Qf1-g2+ 69.Kc2-b3 Qg2-d5+ 70.Kb3-a3 Qd5-c6 71.Qe7-f8+ Kb8-b7 72.Qf8-f6 Kb7-b8 73.Qf6-e5 Kb8-b7 74.Ka3-b3 Kb7-c8 75.Qe5-e6+ Qc6-d7 76.Qe6-d5 Kc8-b8 77.Qd5-d3 Qd7-e6+ 78.c3-c4 Kb8-c8 79.Qd3-d4 Qe6-h3+ 80.Kb3-a4 Qh3-f5 81.Qd4-c5+ Qf5xc5 82.b4xc5 Kc8-d7 83.Ka4-b4 3.38/17 ] 65.Qe6-e4 [Houdini annotates: 65.Qe6-e7+ Kb7-b8 66.Qe7-e5+ Kb8-c8 67.d5-d6 Qf1-f7 68.Qe5c5+ Kc8-b7 69.Qc5-d4 Kb7-c6 70.c3-c4 Qf7-f8 71.Qd4-c5+ Kc6-d7 72.Qc5-a7+ Kd7-e6 73.Qa7-e3+ Ke6-d7 74.c4-c5 Qf8-f6 75.Qe3-h3+ Kd7-d8 76.Kd2-d3 Qf6-g6+ 77.Kd3c3 Qg6-g7+ 78.Kc3-b3 Qg7-f7+ 79.Kb3-b2 Qf7-g7+ 80.Kb2-a3 3.21/15 ] 65...Qf1-f2+ [Houdini annotates: 65...Qf1-f2+ 66.Kd2-d3 Qf2-f1+ 67.Kd3-d4 Qf1-f2+ 68.Kd4-c4 Qf2-a2+ 69.Kc4-d3 Kb7-b6 70.Qe4g6+ Kb6-c7 71.Qg6-c6+ Kc7-

272 d8 72.Qc6-d6+ Kd8-e8 73.Qd6-b8+ Ke8-f7 74.Qb8-f4+ Kf7-e8 75.Kd3-d4 Ke8-d7 76.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 77.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 78.Qf6-g7+ Kd7-d6

273

Levon Aronian's Best Games 79.Qg7-e5+ Kd6-d7 80.Qe5-f4 Qa2-a1 81.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 82.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 83.Kd4-c4 Kd7-c7 84.Qf6-e7+ Kc7-b6 85.Qe7-c5+ Kb6-b7 2.89/15 ] 66.Kd2-d3 [Houdini annotates: 66.Kd2-d3 Qf2-f1+ 67.Kd3-d4 Qf1-f2+ 68.Kd4-c4 Qf2-a2+ 69.Kc4-d3 Kb7-b6 70.Qe4-g6+ Kb6-c7 71.Qg6-c6+ Kc7-d8 72.Qc6-d6+ Kd8-e8 73.Qd6-b8+ Ke8-f7 74.Qb8-f4+ Kf7-e8 75.Kd3-d4 Ke8-d7 76.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 77.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 78.Qf6-g7+ Kd7-d6 79.Qg7-e5+ Kd6-d7 80.Qe5-f4 Qa2-a1 81.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 82.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 83.Kd4-c4 Kd7-c7 84.Qf6-e7+ Kc7-b6 85.Qe7-c5+ Kb6-b7 2.93/18 ] 66...Qf2-a2 [ 66...Qf2-g3+ doesn't change the outcome of the game 67.Kd3-c4 Qg3-d6 68.Qe4-e6 Qd6-f4+ 69.Kc4-b3+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 66...Qf2-f1+ 67.Kd3-d4 Qf1-f2+ 68.Kd4-c4 Qf2-a2+ 69.Kc4-d3 Kb7-b6 70.Qe4-g6+ Kb6-c7 71.Qg6-c6+ Kc7-d8 72.Qc6-d6+ Kd8-e8 73.Qd6-b8+ Ke8-f7 74.Qb8-f4+ Kf7-e8 75.Kd3-d4 Ke8-d7 76.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 77.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 78.Qf6-g7+ Kd7-d6 79.Qg7-e5+ Kd6-d7 80.Qe5-f4 Qa2-a1 81.Qf4-f7+ Kd7-d8 82.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 83.Kd4-c4 Kd7-c7 84.Qf6-e7+ Kc7-b6 85.Qe7-c5+ Kb6-b7 86.Qc5-c6+ Kb7-b8 87.Qc6-b6+ Kb8-c8 88.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-d8 89.Qe6-b6+ Kd8-d7 90.Qb6-e6+ Diagram (Diagram 183)

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+k+-+-0 183 9+-+k+-+-0 183 9p+-+Q+-+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-zPK+-+-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9wq-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 74.Ke2-d2 Qe6-a2+ 75.Kd2-e1 Qa2-e6+ 76.Ke1-f1 Qe6-h3+ Kd7-d8 91.Qe6-b6+ 2.89/16 ] 67.Qe4-f3 [ 67.d5-d6+ Kb7-b6 68.Qe4-d4+ Kb6-c6 69.Qd4-c5+ Kc6-b7 70.Qc5-c7+ Kb7-a8 71.Qc7-c8+ Ka8-a7 72.d6-d7 Qa2-d5+ 73.Kd3-e2 Qd5-e6+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 77.Kf1-f2 Qh3-f5+ 78.Kf2-g3 Qf5-g6+ 77.Kf1-f2 Qh3-f5+ 78.Kf2-g3 Qf5-g6+ 79.Kg3-h2 Qg6-c2+ 80.Kh2-g1 Qc2-g6+ 81.Kg1-f2 Qg6-f5+ 82.Kf2-e3 Qf5-e6+ 83.Ke3-d4 Qe6-d6+ 84.Kd4-e3 Qd6-e6+ 85.Ke3-f4 Qe6-f6+ 86.Kf4-g4 Qf6-g6+ 87.Kg4-h4 Qg6-h6+ 88.Kh4-g4 Qh6-g6+ 89.Kg4-f3 Qg6-f5+ 90.Kf3-e2 Qf5-e6+ 91.Ke2-f2 Qe6-f5+= ;Houdini annotates: 67.d5-d6+ Kb7-b6 68.Qe4e3+ Kb6-c6 69.Qe3-c5+ Kc6b7 70.Qc5-c7+ Kb7-a8 71.Qc7d8+ Ka8-a7 72.Qd8-e7+ Ka7b8 73.Qe7-e8+ Kb8-a7 74.d6-d7 Qa2-b1+ 75.Kd3-d4 Qb1-g1+ 76.Qe8-e3 Qg1-d1+ 77.Kd4e5+ Ka7-b7 78.Ke5-e6 3.85/10 ] 67...Qa2-b1+ [Houdini annotates: 67...Kb7-c8 68.Qf3-f7 Kc8-d8 69.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-e8 70.Qf6-e6+ Ke8-f8 71.Qe6-h6+ Kf8-e7 72.Kd3-d4 Qa2-a1 73.Qh6-e6+ Ke7-d8 74.Qe6-f6+ Kd8-d7 75.Kd4-c4 Kd7-c7 76.Qf6e7+ Kc7-b6 77.Qe7-c5+ Kb6-b7 78.Qc5-c6+ Kb7-b8 79.Qc6-e8+ Kb8-c7 80.Qe8-e7+ Kc7-b6 2.89/16 ] 68.Kd3-d4 [Houdini annotates:

274

275

Levon Aronian's Best Games 68.Kd3-c4 Qb1-e1 69.Qf3-f7+ Kb7-b8 70.Qf7-g6 Qe1-f2 71.Qg6-d3 Qf2-b6 72.Kc4-b3 a6-a5 73.Qd3-g3+ Kb8-b7 74.Qg3-g7+ Kb7-c8 75.Qg7-f8+ Kc8-d7 76.Qf8-f7+ Kd7-d8 77.Qf7-e6 Qb6-g1 78.Qe6-f6+ Kd8-c7 79.Qf6-c6+ Kc7-b8 80.b4xa5 3.45/16 ] 68...Qb1-g6 [Houdini annotates: 68...Qb1-g1+ 69.Kd4-c4 Kb7-c7 70.Qf3-f7+ Kc7-b6 71.Qf7-e6+ Kb6-b7 72.Qe6-e4 Kb7-c7 73.Qe4-e5+ Kc7-d7 74.Qe5-f5+ Kd7-c7 75.Qf5-e5+ Kc7-d7 2.94/14 ] 69.Kd4-c4 [Houdini annotates: 69.Kd4-c4 Qg6-d6 70.Kc4-b3 Qd6-g6 71.d5-d6+ Kb7-a7 72.Qf3-e3+ Ka7-a8 73.Qe3-e5 Qg6-b1+ 74.Kb3-c4 Qb1-f1+ 75.Kc4-c5 Qf1-b5+ 76.Kc5-d4 Qb5-b6+ 77.Qe5-c5 Qb6-d8 78.Qc5-c6+ Ka8-a7 79.d6-d7 Qd8-h8+ 80.Kd4-d3 Qh8-h7+ 81.Kd3-d2 Qh7-h2+ 82.Kd2-d1 Qh2-h5+ 83.Kd1-c2 Qh5-e2+ 84.Kc2-b3 Qe2-d1+ 85.Kb3-b2 Qd1-d2+ 86.Kb2-a3 Qd2-c1+ 87.Ka3-b3 Qc1-d1+ 88.Kb3-b2 3.69/16 ] 69...Kb7-c7 [Houdini annotates : 69...Qg6-e8 70.Kc4-b3 Qe8-g6 71.d5-d6+ Kb7-a7 72.Qf3-e3+ Ka7-a8 73.Qe3-e5 Qg6-b1+ 74.Kb3-c4 Qb1-f1+ 75.Kc4-c5 Qf1-b5+ 76.Kc5-d4 Qb5-b6+ 77.Qe5-c5 Qb6-d8 78.Qc5-c6+ Ka8-a7 79.d6-d7 Qd8-h8+ 80.Kd4-d3 Qh8-h7+ 81.Kd3-c4 Qh7-g8+ 82.Kc4-c5 Qg8-g5+ 83.Qc6-d5 Qg5-d8 84.Kc5-d6 Qd8-f6+ 85.Qd5-e6 3.80/13 ] 70.Qf3-d3 [ 70.Qf3-e3 makes it even easier for White Qg6-f6 71.Qe3-c5+ Kc7-b7+- ; Houdini annotates: 70.Qf3-d3

Qg6-g1 71.Kc4-b3 a6-a5 73.Qd3-h7+ Kc8-c7 75.Qf5-f7+ Kb8-c7 77.Qf8-c5+

Qg1-e1 72.c3-c4 Kc7-c8 74.Qh7-f5+ Kc7-b8 76.Qf7-f8+ Kc7-d7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 78.Qc5-c6+ Kd7-e7 79.Qc6-c7+ 78.Qc5-c6+ Kd7-e7 79.Qc6-c7+ Ke7-f6 80.b4xa5 Qe1-b1+ 81.Kb3-a4 Qb1-c2+ 82.Ka4-b4 Qc2-d2+ 83.Kb4-b5 Qd2-b2+ 84.Kb5-c6 4.02/16 ] 70...Qg6-g1 [ 70...Qg6f6 doesn't get the cat off the tree 71.Kc4-b3+- ;Houdini annotates: 70...Qg6-g1 71.Kc4-b3 Qg1-e1 72.c3-c4 Kc7-d8 73.d5-d6 Qe1-e6 74.Qd3-d4 Kd8-e8 75.Qd4-c5 Qe6-e1 76.Qc5-c6+ Ke8-f7 77.Qc6xa6 Qe1-d1+ 78.Kb3-a2 Qd1-e2+ 79.Ka2-a3 Kf7-e6 80.Qa6-c6 Qe2-e3+ 81.Ka3-a4 Qe3-a7+ 82.Ka4-b5 Qa7-b8+ 83.Kb5-c5 Qb8-a7+ 84.Qc6-b6 Qa7-a1 85.Kc5-b5 Qa1-f1 86.Qb6-c6 3.92/14 ] 71.Kc4-b3 [ 71.Qd3-h7+ might be the shorter path Kc7-d8 72.Qh7-h6 Qg1-f1+ 73.Kc4-c5 Qf1-b5+ 74.Kc5-d4 a6-a5+- ; Houdini annotates: 71.Kc4-b3 Qg1-e1 72.c3-c4 a6-a5 73.Qd3-h7+ Kc7-c8 74.Qh7-f5+ Kc8-c7 75.Qf5f4+ Kc7-b7 76.Qf4-f7+ Kb7-b8 77.Qf7-f8+ Kb8-b7 78.b4xa5 Qe1-d1+ 79.Kb3-b4 Qd1-b1+ 80.Kb4-a4 Qb1-h7 81.Qf8-b4+ Kb7-c8 82.a5-a6 Qh7-a7 83.Ka4-a5 Qa7-c7+ 84.Qb4-b6 Qc7xc4 85.Qb6-c6+ Qc4xc6 86.d5xc6 4.18/16 ] 71...Qg1-a1 [ 71...Kc7-d8 72.c3-c4+( 72.Qd3xa6?! is not possible Qg1-d1+ 73.Kb3-b2 Qd1-d2+ 74.Kb2-a3 Qd2xc3+ 75.Ka3-a4 Qc3-a1+ 76.Ka4-b5 Qa1-f1+ 77.Kb5-b6 Qf1-f2+ 78.Kb6-b7 Qf2-f7+ 79.Kb7-c6 Qf7-e8+ 80.Kc6-b6 Qe8-e3+ 81.Kb6-b7 Qe3-e7+ 82.Kb7-a8 Qe7xb4= );Houdini annotates: 71...Qg1-e1 72.c3-c4 a6-a5 73.Qd3-h7+ Kc7-c8 74.Qh7-f5+ Kc8-c7 75.Qf5-f4+ Kc7-d7 76.Qf4-f7+

276 Kd7-d8 77.Qf7-f6+ Kd8-d7 78.Qf6-c6+ Kd7-d8 79.Qc6-b6+ Kd8-d7 80.b4xa5 Qe1-g3+ 81.Kb3-b4 Qg3-e1+

277

Levon Aronian's Best Games 82.Kb4-b5 Qe1-b1+ 83.Kb5-a6 Qb1-a1 84.c4-c5 3.64/14 ] 72.c3-c4 [ 72.Qd3-g3+ seems even better Kc7-d7 73.Qg3-g7+ Kd7-d8 74.Qg7-f6+ Kd8-d7 75.Qf6-c6+ Kd7-d8 76.Qc6-d6+ Kd8-e8 77.Qd6-e5+ Ke8-d7 78.Qe5-e6+ Kd7-d8 79.Qe6-g8+ Kd8-e7 80.Qg8-g5+ Ke7-e8 81.Qg5-g8+ Ke8-e7 82.Qg8-h7+ Ke7-d6 83.Qh7-g6+ Kd6-e5 84.Qg6-e6+ Ke5-f4+- ;Houdini annotates: 72.d5-d6+ Kc7-c8 73.c3-c4 Qa1-h1 74.Qd3-f5+ Kc8-b8 75.Qf5-f8+ Kb8-b7 76.Qf8-e7+ Kb7-b8 77.Qe7-e8+ Kb8-b7 78.Qe8-f7+ Kb7-b8 79.Qf7-c7+ Kb8-a8 80.d6-d7 Qh1-b1+ 81.Kb3-c3 Qb1-e1+ 82.Kc3-d3 Qe1-d1+ 83.Kd3-e4 Qd1-c2+ 84.Ke4-e3 Qc2-c3+ 85.Ke3-f4 4.38/15 ] 72...a6-a5 [ 72...Kc7-d8 does not save the day 73.d5-d6 Qa1-e1 74.c4-c5+- ; Houdini annotates: 72...a6-a5 73.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 74.c4-c5 a5xb4 75.Qd3-b5+ Kd7-d8 76.Qb5-b6+ Kd8-d7 77.Qb6-b7+ Kd7-e6 78.Qb7-e4+ Ke6-d7 79.Kb3-c4 Qa1-f6 80.Qe4-b7+ Kd7-e8 81.Qb7-c8+ Ke8-f7 82.d6-d7 Qf6-f1+ 83.Kc4xb4 Qf1-b1+ 84.Kb4-a4 Qb1-c2+ 85.Ka4-b5 Qc2-b1+ 86.Kb5-a5 Qb1-a1+ 87.Ka5-b6 Qa1-b2+ 88.Kb6-c7 Qb2-e5+ 89.Kc7-b6 4.48/15 ] 73.Qd3-h7+ [Houdini annotates : 73.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 74.Qd3-f5+ Kd7xd6 75.Qf5-d5+ Kd6-e7 76.b4xa5 Ke7-e8 77.Qd5-c6+ Ke8-f8 78.a5-a6 Qa1-b1+ 79.Kb3-c3 Qb1-e1+ 80.Kc3-b2 Qe1-d2+ 81.Kb2-b3 Qd2-e3+ 82.Kb3-b4 Qe3-d2+ 83.Kb4-b5 Qd2-b2+ 84.Kb5-a5 Qb2-a3+ 85.Ka5-b6

Qa3-b4+ 86.Kb6-a7 Qb4-e7+ 87.Ka7-b8 Qe7-b4+ 88.Kb8-a8 Qb4-c3 89.c4-c5 Kf8-e7 90.a6-a7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 4.14/14 ] 73...Kc7-d8 [Houdini annotates 4.14/14 ] 73...Kc7-d8 [Houdini annotates : 73...Kc7-c8 74.Qh7-g8+ Kc8-c7 75.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 76.Qg8f7+ Kd7xd6 77.Qf7-d5+ Kd6-e7 78.b4xa5 Ke7-e8 79.Qd5-c6+ Ke8-f8 80.Qc6-d6+ Kf8-e8 81.a5-a6 Qa1-g1 82.Qd6-d5 Ke8-e7 83.Kb3-b4 Qg1-b1+ 84.Kb4-a4 Qb1-g1 85.Ka4-b5 Qg1-b1+ 86.Kb5-a5 Qb1-a2+ 87.Ka5-b6 Qa2-b2+ 88.Kb6-c6 Qb2-f6+ 89.Kc6-b7 Qf6-b2+ 90.Kb7-a7 Qb2-a2 91.Qd5-c5+ Ke7-f7 92.Qc5-c7+ Kf7-g8 93.c4-c5 Qa2-f2 94.Qc7-b6 Qf2-f7+ 95.Qb6-b7 Qf7-f2 96.Qb7-e7 Qf2-g2 97.Ka7-b8 3.88/17 ] 74.Qh7-g8+ [Houdini annotates: 74.Qh7-g8+ Kd8-c7 75.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 76.Qg8-f7+ Kd7xd6 77.Qf7-d5+ Kd6-e7 78.b4xa5 Ke7-f8 79.Qd5d6+ Kf8-e8 80.a5-a6 Qa1-g1 81.Qd6-d5 Ke8-e7 82.Kb3-b4 Qg1-b1+ 83.Kb4-a4 Qb1-g1 84.c4-c5 Qg1-g4+ 85.Ka4-b5 Qg4-e2+ 86.Kb5-b6 Qe2-b2+ 87.Kb6-a7 Ke7-f6 88.Qd5-d6+ Kf6-f5 89.c5-c6 Qb2-f2+ 90.Ka7-b7 Qf2-b2+ 91.Kb7-c7 3.95/17 ] 74...Kd8-c7 [Houdini annotates: 74...Kd8-c7 75.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 76.Qg8-f7+ Kd7xd6 77.Qf7-d5+ Kd6-e7 78.b4xa5 Ke7-f8 79.Qd5d6+ Kf8-e8 80.a5-a6 Qa1-g1 81.Qd6-d5 Ke8-e7 82.Kb3-b4 Qg1-b1+ 83.Kb4-a4 Qb1-a1+ 84.Ka4-b5 Qa1-b2+ 85.Kb5-c6 Qb2-f6+ 86.Kc6-b7 Qf6-b2+ 87.Kb7-a7 Qb2-a2 88.Qd5-c5+ Ke7-f7 89.Qc5-c7+ Kf7-g8 90.c4-c5 Qa2-f2 91.Qc7-e7

278 Qf2-g2 92.Ka7-b8 3.89/16 ] 75.d5-d6+! Double attack: a5/d6 [ Houdini annotates: 75.d5-d6+ Kc7-d7 76.Qg8-f7+ Kd7xd6 77.Qf7-d5+ Kd6-e7 78.b4xa5 Ke7-e8 79.Qd5-c6+ Ke8-f8 80.Qc6-d6+ Kf8-e8 81.a5-a6 Qa1-g1 82.Qd6-d5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ke8-e7 83.Kb3-b4 Qg1-b1+ 84.Kb4-a4 Qb1-a1+ 85.Ka4-b5 Qa1-b1+ 86.Kb5-c6 Qb1-g6+ 87.Kc6-b7 Qg6-b1+ 88.Kb7-a7 Qb1-a2 89.Qd5-c5+ Ke7-f7 90.Qc5-c7+ Kf7-g6 91.c4-c5 Qa2-c4 92.c5-c6 Kg6-f5 93.Qc7-d6 Qc4-b3 94.c6-c7 3.79/15 ] 75...Kc7xd6 [ Houdini annotates: 75...Kc7-d7 76.Qg8-f7+ Kd7xd6 77.Qf7-d5+ Kd6-e7 78.b4xa5 Ke7-e8 79.Qd5-c6+ Ke8-f8 80.Qc6-d6+ Kf8-e8 81.a5-a6 Qa1-g1 82.Qd6-d5 Ke8-e7 83.Kb3-b4 Qg1-b1+ 84.Kb4-a5 Qb1-a2+ 85.Ka5-b6 Qa2-b2+ 86.Kb6-c6 Qb2-f6+ 87.Kc6-b7 Qf6-b2+ 88.Kb7-a7 Qb2-a2 89.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-d6 90.Qb7-b6+ Kd6-e5 91.Ka7-b8 Qa2-a3 92.a6-a7 Qa3-f8+ 93.Kb8-b7 Qf8-f3+ 94.Qb6-c6 3.88/15 ] 76.Qg8-d5+ [Houdini annotates: 76.Qg8-d5+ Kd6-e7 77.b4xa5 Qa1-f6 78.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-e8 79.Qb7-b5+ Ke8-e7 80.a5-a6 Qf6-d4 81.Qb5-b7+ Ke7-f8 82.a6-a7 Qd4-d1+ 83.Kb3-c3 Qd1-e1+ 84.Kc3-d4 Qe1-a1+ 85.Kd4-e3 Qa1-c1+ 86.Ke3-f2 Qc1-f4+ 87.Qb7-f3 3.76/14 ] 76...Kd6-e7 [Houdini annotates: 76...Kd6-e7 77.b4xa5 Qa1-b1+ 78.Kb3-a4 Qb1-c2+ 79.Ka4-b5 Qc2-b2+ 80.Kb5-a6 Qb2-a2 81.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-d6 82.Qb7-b8+ Kd6-e6 83.c4-c5 Qa2-c4+ 84.Qb8-b5 Qc4-g4 85.Qb5-b6+ Ke6-d5 86.c5-c6 Qg4-c8+ 87.Ka6-b5 Qc8-f8 88.c6-c7 Qf8-e8+ 89.Kb5-b4 Qe8-e4+ 90.Kb4-b3 Qe4-d3+ 91.Kb3-a4 Qd3-c4+ 92.Ka4-a3 3.58/17 ] 77.b4xa5 [Houdini annotates: 77.b4xa5 Qa1-b1+ 78.Kb3-a4 Qb1-c2+ 79.Ka4-b5 Qc2-b2+

279 80.Kb5-a6 Qb2-a2 81.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-d6 82.Qb7-b8+ Kd6-e6 83.c4-c5 Qa2-c4+ 84.Qb8-b5 Qc4-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 85.Qb5-b6+ Ke6-d5 86.c5-c6 85.Qb5-b6+ Ke6-d5 86.c5-c6 Qg4-c8+ 87.Ka6-b5 Qc8-f8 88.c6-c7 Qf8-e8+ 89.Kb5-b4 Qe8-e4+ 90.Kb4-b3 Qe4-d3+ 91.Kb3-a4 Qd3-c4+ 92.Ka4-a3 Qc4-c1+ 93.Ka3-b3 3.33/16 ] 77...Qa1-b1+ [ Houdini annotates: 77...Qa1-g1 78.Kb3-a4 Qg1-a1+ 79.Ka4-b5 Qa1-b2+ 80.Kb5-a6 Qb2-a2 81.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-d6 82.Qb7-b8+ Kd6-e6 83.c4-c5 Qa2-c4+ 84.Qb8-b5 Qc4-g4 85.Qb5-b6+ Ke6-d5 86.c5-c6 Qg4-c8+ 87.Ka6-b5 Qc8-f8 88.c6-c7 Qf8-e8+ 89.Kb5-b4 Qe8-e4+ 90.Kb4-b3 Qe4-d3+ 91.Kb3-a4 Qd3-c4+ 92.Ka4-a3 3.41/14 ] 78.Kb3-a4 [Houdini annotates: 78.Kb3-a4 Qb1-c2+ 79.Ka4-b5 Qc2-b2+ 80.Kb5-a6 Qb2-a2 81.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-d6 82.Qb7-b8+ Kd6-e6 83.c4-c5 Qa2-c4+ 84.Qb8-b5 Qc4-g4 85.Qb5-b6+ Ke6-d5 86.c5-c6 Qg4-c8+ 87.Ka6-b5 Qc8-f8 88.c6-c7 Qf8-e8+ 89.Kb5-b4 Qe8-e4+ 90.Kb4-b3 Qe4-d3+ 91.Kb3-a4 Qd3-c4+ 92.Ka4-a3 3.33/15 ] 78...Ke7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 78...Qb1-c2+ 79.Ka4-b5 Qc2-b2+ 80.Kb5-c5 Qb2-a1 81.Qd5-d6+ Ke7-f7 82.Qd6-d7+ Kf7-g8 83.Qd7-e6+ Kg8-f8 84.a5-a6 Qa1-a5+ 85.Kc5-d4 Qa5-d2+ 86.Kd4-e5 Qd2-a5+ 87.Qe6-d5 Qa5-e1+ 88.Ke5-d6 Qe1-e7+ 89.Kd6-c6 Qe7-e8+ 90.Kc6-b7 Qe8-e7+ 91.Kb7-b6 Qe7-f6+ 92.Kb6-b5 3.14/13 ] 79.a5-a6 [Houdini annotates: 79.a5-a6 Qb1-b6 80.Qd5-b5 Qb6-e3 81.c4-c5 Qe3-c3 82.Qb5-b6+ Kf6-f5 83.a6-a7 Qc3-c4+ 84.Qb6-b4 Qc4-a6+ 85.Qb4-a5 Qa6-c4+ 86.Ka4-a3 Qc4-d3+ 87.Ka3-b4 Qd3-b1+ 88.Kb4-c4 Qb1-f1+ 89.Kc4-d5

280 Qf1-d1+ 90.Kd5-c6 Qd1-h1+ 91.Kc6-b6 4.38/14 ] 79...Kf6-g6

281

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ 79...Qb1-b6 a last effort to resist the inevitable 80.Qd5-b7 Qb6-c5+- ; Houdini annotates: 79...Qb1-b6 80.Qd5-b5 Qb6-d4 81.Qb5-c6+ Kf6-e7 82.Qc6-c7+ Ke7-e8 83.a6-a7 Qd4-a1+ 84.Ka4-b4 Qa1-b1+ 85.Kb4-c5 Qb1-f5+ 86.Kc5-c6 Qf5-e4+ 87.Kc6-b6 Qe4-b1+ 88.Kb6-a5 Qb1-a1+ 89.Ka5-b4 Qa1-b1+ 3.95/12 ] 80.Ka4-a5 [ 80.Ka4-a5 Qb1-a1+ 81.Ka5-b6 Qa1-b2+ 82.Kb6-c7+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 80.Qd5-c6+ Kg6-g5 81.Qc6-b5+ Qb1-f5 82.a6-a7 Kg5-f4 83.Qb5xf5+ Kf4xf5 84.Ka4-b5 Kf5-e5 85.a7-a8Q Ke5-d6 86.c4-c5+ Kd6-d7 87.Qa8-d5+ Kd7-c7 88.Qd5-f7+ Kc7-d8 13.07/11 ] 1-0

32

A36

Magnus Carlsen Levon Aronian Botvinnik Memorial Rapid (4) 03.09.2011 A36: Symmetrical English vs ...g6: 4 Bg2 Bg7 1.c2-c4 g7-g6 2.Nb1-c3 c7-c5 3.g2-g3 Bf8-g7 4.Bf1-g2 Nb8-c6 5.a2-a3 d7-d6 6.Ra1-b1 a7-a5 7.e2-e3 e7-e5 8.Ng1-e2 Ng8-e7 9.0-0 0-0 10.d2-d3 Ra8-b8 11.Bc1-d2 Bc8-e6 12.Nc3-d5 b7-b5 13.c4xb5 Rb8xb5 14.Qd1-a4 Qd8-b8 15.Nd5-c7 Qb8xc7 16.Qa4xb5 Rf8-b8 17.Qb5-a4 Be6-b3 18.Qa4-h4 Bb3-c2 19.Qh4-c4 Bc2-b3 20.Qc4-c1 Qc7-b6 last book move 21.Rf1-e1 [ Houdini annotates: 21.Bd2-c3 a5-a4 22.e3-e4 Nc6-d4 23.Ne2xd4 e5xd4 24.Bc3-d2 Ne7-c6 25.Bd2-f4

Nc6-e5 26.Qc1-d2 Qb6-c6 27.Rb1-c1 Qc6-d7 28.Bf4-g5 0.44/13 ] 21...d6-d5 last book move [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 21...a5-a4 22.Ne2-c3 d6-d5 23.h2-h4 21...a5-a4 22.Ne2-c3 d6-d5 23.h2-h4 Rb8-d8 24.Bg2-f3 Qb6-a6 25.Bf3-d1 Rd8-b8 26.Bd1-e2 h7-h5 27.e3-e4 d5-d4 28.Nc3-d5 Ne7xd5 29.e4xd5 Bb3xd5 30.Qc1xc5 0.33/14 ] 22.Ne2-c3 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 22.Rb1-a1 a5-a4 23.Qc1b1 d5-d4 24.Bg2-h3 d4xe3 25.Bd2xe3 Ne7-f5 26.Bh3xf5 g6xf5 27.Re1-c1 Nc6-d4 28.Ne2xd4 c5xd4 29.Be3-g5 Bb3-d5 30.Rc1-c2 Qb6-g6 0.40/14 ]

282 Bb3xd5 29.Re5xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Qc1-c4 Qb6-c6 31.Bg5-f4 Bg7-f8 32.b2-b3 Bf8-d6 33.Bf4-d2 Bd6-c7

XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-+k+0{ 9+-+-snpvlp0 184 9-wqn+-+p+0 9zp-zppzp-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9zPlsNPzP-zP-0 9-zP-vL-zPLzP0 9+RwQ-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 22...Rb8-d8 Black intends d4 [ Houdini annotates: 22...a5-a4 23.h2-h4 Rb8-d8 24.Bg2-f3 Qb6-a6 25.Bf3-d1 Rd8-b8 26.Bd1-e2 h7-h5 27.e3-e4 d5-d4 28.Nc3-d5 Ne7xd5 29.e4xd5 Bb3xd5 30.Qc1xc5 0.33/13 ] 23.e3-e4 [Houdini annotates: 23.Rb1-a1 a5-a4 24.h2-h3 Qb6-a6 25.Qc1-b1 Qa6-b6 26.Re1-c1 f7-f5 27.Nc3-e2 e5-e4 28.Ne2-f4 Nc6-e5 29.Bd2-c3 d5-d4 30.e3xd4 c5xd4 0.42/14 ] 23...d5-d4 Black gets more space [Houdini annotates: 23...d5-d4 24.Nc3-d5 Ne7xd5 25.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 26.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 27.Re1xe5 Ne7xd5 28.Bg2xd5+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 34.Rb1-e1 Qc6-d7 35.Re1-e8+ Kg8-g7 36.Re8-a8 a5-a4 37.Qc4xa4 Qd7xa4 38.Ra8xa4 Rd5-d8 0.43/16 ] 24.Nc3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 24.Nc3-d1 Qb6-b5 25.Bg2-f1 a5-a4 26.f2-f3 Rd8-b8 27.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 28.Bg5-d2 Bb3-e6 29.Nd1-f2 Be6-a2 30.Rb1-a1 Qb5xb2 31.Nf2-d1 Qb2xc1 32.Ra1xc1 0.31/15 ] 24...Ne7xd5 [ 24...Bb3xd5 25.e4xd5 Passed pawn ; 24...Ne7xd5 25.e4xd5 Passed pawn ; …24...-- 25.Nd5xb6 Wins material ; Houdini annotates: 24...Ne7xd5 25.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 26.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 27.Re1xe5 Ne7xd5 28.Bg2xd5+ Bb3xd5 29.Re5xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Qc1-c4 Qb6-c6 31.Bg5-f4 Bg7-f8 32.b2-b3 Bf8-d6 33.Bf4-d2 Bd6-c7 34.Rb1-e1 Qc6-d7 35.Re1-e8+ Kg8-g7 36.Re8-a8 a5-a4 37.Qc4xa4 Qd7xa4 38.Ra8xa4 Rd5-d8 0.43/16 ] 25.e4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 25.e4xd5 Nc6-e7 26.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 27.Re1xe5 Ne7xd5 28.Bg2xd5+ Bb3xd5 29.Re5xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Qc1-c4 Qb6-c6 31.Bg5-f4 Bg7-f8 32.b2-b3 Bf8-d6 33.Bf4-d2 Bd6-c7 34.Rb1-e1 Qc6-d7 35.Qc4-a6 Kg8-g7 36.Bd2xa5 Rd5-e5 37.Re1xe5 Bc7xe5 0.23/13 ] 25...Rd8xd5? [ 25...Nc6-e7 26.Bd2-h6 Bg7xh6 27.Qc1xh6± ;Houdini annotates: 25...Nc6-e7 26.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 27.Re1xe5 Ne7xd5 28.Bg2xd5+ Bb3xd5 29.Re5xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Qc1-c4 Qb6-c6 31.Bg5-f4 Bg7-f8 32.b2-b3 Bf8-d6 33.Bf4-d2 Diagram (Diagram 185)

283

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9+-+-+-+p0 185 9+-+-+-+p0 185 9-+qvl-zpp+0 9zp-zpr+-+-0 9-+Qzp-+-+0 9zPP+P+-zP-0 9-+-vL-zP-zP0 9+R+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Bd6-c7 34.Rb1-e1 Qc6-d7 35.Qc4-a6 Kg8-g7 36.Bd2xa5 Rd5-e5 37.Re1xe5 Bc7xe5 0.41/14 ] 26.Bd2-h6 [ 26.Bg2xd5 Bb3xd5 27.b2-b3 f7-f5+- ; Houdini annotates: 26.Bg2xd5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bb3xd5 27.b2-b3 Bg7-f8 28.Qc1c2 Bb3xd5 27.b2-b3 Bg7-f8 28.Qc1c2 Kg8-g7 29.Bd2-g5 f7-f6 30.Bg5d2 Bf8-d6 31.Re1-f1 Nc6-e7 32.Rf1c1 Ne7-f5 33.Rc1-e1 Bd6-f8 34.Re1f1 Bf8-e7 35.Rf1-e1 Be7-d6 36.h2h3 1.54/14 ] 26...Bg7f6? [ ¹26...Rd5-d7!?± ;Houdini annotates: 26...Rd5-d8 27.Bh6xg7 Kg8xg7 28.Bg2xc6 Qb6xc6 29.Re1xe5 Qc6f3 30.Qc1xc5 Bb3-d5 31.Re5xd5 Rd8xd5 32.Qc5-c4 Rd5-d6 33.Rb1e1 Qf3-c6 34.b2-b3 Qc6xc4 35.b3xc4 Rd6-b6 36.Re1-e4 Rb6-b3 37.Re4xd4 Rb3xa3 38.Kg1-g2 Ra3-c3 39.Kg2f3 a5-a4 40.c4-c5 Rc3xc5 41.Rd4xa4 0.44/13 ] 27.Bg2xd5+- [Houdini annotates: 27.Bg2xd5 Bb3xd5 28.f2-f4 e5-e4 29.d3xe4 Bd5-b3 30.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 31.Bh6-g5 c5-c4 32.Bg5xe7 Nc6xe7 33.Qc1-d2 Ne7-f5 34.Rb1c1 Kg8-g7 35.Re1-e4 d4-d3+ 36.Kg1g2 Qb6-b7 37.Rc1-e1 2.12/14 ] 27...Bb3xd5 [Houdini annotates: 27...Bb3xd5 28.Qc1-c2 Bf6-

284 e7 29.Rb1-c1 Qb6-b5 30.h2-h4 a5-a4 31.Bh6-g5 f7-f6 32.Bg5-h6 Qb5-b7 33.Re1-e2 Qb7-b5 34.Rc1-e1 c5-c4 1.84/12 ] 28.Qc1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 28.f2-f4 Bd5-a2 29.Rb1-a1 Ba2-e6 30.f4xe5 Bf6xe5 31.Bh6-f4

Levon Aronian's Best Games f7-f6 32.Re1-f1 Be6-b3 33.Rf1-f2 a5-a4 34.Qc1-d2 c5-c4 35.Bf4xe5 Nc6xe5 1.64/13 ] 28...Bf6-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 28...Nc6-d8 29.f2-f4 Nd8-e6 30.Qd1-g4 Qb6-c7 31.f4-f5 Ne6-g7 32.f5xg6 h7xg6 33.Re1-f1 Ng7-h5 34.b2-b3 Qc7-b7 35.Bh6-g5 Bd5-e6 1.69/14 ] 29.h2-h4 [ 29.b2-b3 Qb6-b7+- ;Houdini annotates: 29.b2-b3 Qb6-b7 30.f2-f4 Be7-d6 31.Qd1-c2 Qb7-d7 32.f4xe5 Nc6xe5 33.Re1xe5 Bd6xe5 34.Qc2xc5 Qd7-d8 35.Bh6-d2 Qd8-d7 36.Bd2xa5 1.38/12 ] 29...Qb6-b7 [ Houdini annotates: 29...Qb6-a7

30.f2-f4 Qa7-d7 31.Kg1-h2 Be7-d6 32.b2-b3 Qd7-f5 33.Qd1-e2 Qf5-e6 34.Qe2-d2 Qe6-f5 35.Bh6-g5 e5-e4 36.d3xe4 Bd5xe4 37.Rb1-c1 a5-a4 1.07/13 ] 30.Kg1-h2 [Houdini annotates: 30.Qd1-g4 f7-f5 31.Qg4e2 e5-e4 32.Bh6-f4 e4xd3 33.Qe2xd3 c5-c4 34.Qd3-d2 Qb7-a7 35.Rb1-d1 d4-d3 36.Bf4-e3 Qa7-b7 37.Qd2-c3 Be7-f8 38.Be3-g5 Qb7-b6 39.Re1-e8 Nc6-d4 1.13/14 ] 30...f7-f6 [ 30...Qb7-c8 31.b2-b3+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 30...Qb7-d7 31.f2-f4 Be7-d6 32.b2-b3 Qd7-f5 33.Qd1-e2 Qf5-e6 34.Qe2-d2 Qe6-f5 35.Bh6-g5 e5-e4 36.d3xe4 Bd5xe4 37.Rb1-c1 a5-a4 1.07/13 ] 31.Qd1-e2 [Houdini annotates: 31.b2-b3 Qb7-d7 32.Rb1b2 Be7-d6 33.Bh6-d2 Qd7-f5 34.Qd1-e2 Kg8-g7 35.Bd2-c1 Bd5-f3 36.Qe2-c2 e5-e4 37.d3xe4 1.13/13 ] 31...Nc6-d8 [ 31...a5-a4+- ;Houdini annotates: 31...a5-a4 32.f2-f4 Be7-d6 33.h4-h5

285 38.Qd2xa5 Nf7-e5 39.Qa5-b5 Ne5-f3+ 38.Qd2xa5 Nf7-e5 39.Qa5-b5 Ne5-f3+ 40.Kh2-g2 Nf3xh4+ 41.Kg2-g1 0.90/13 ] 32...Bd5-f3± [Houdini annotates : 32...Bd5-f3 33.Qe2-f1 a5-a4 34.Qf1-h3 Qb7-b3 35.Bd2-h6 Qb3xd3 36.Qh3-d7 Kg8-f7 37.Qd7xa4 Bf3-c6 38.Qa4-d1 Qd3-f5 39.Re1-f1 g6-g5 40.h4xg5 f6xg5 41.Qd1-h5+ Kf7-g8 42.Kh2-g1 d4-d3 43.Rb1-d1 c5-c4 44.Rf1-e1 Nd8-e6 0.40/16 ] 33.Qe2-f1 [Houdini annotates: 33.Qe2-f1 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-sn-+k+0{ 9+q+-vl-+p0 186 9+q+-vl-+p0 186 9-+-+-zpp+0 9zp-zp-zp-+-0 9-+-zp-+-zP0 9zP-+P+lzP-0 9-zP-vL-zP-mK0 9+R+-tRQ+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qb7-f7 34.Rb1-c1 g6xh5 35.f4-f5 Nc6-e7 36.Re1-f1 Qf7-e8 37.Kh2-g1 Bd5-b7 38.g3-g4 1.08/14 ] 32.Bh6-d2 [ ¹32.b2-b3!?+- ;Houdini annotates: 32.a3-a4 Nd8-f7 33.Bh6-c1 Bd5-a2 34.Rb1-a1 Ba2-d5 35.Re1-f1 Bd5-f3 36.Qe2-d2 e5-e4 37.d3xe4 Bf3xe4

Levon Aronian's Best Games a5-a4 34.Bd2-c1 Kg8-g7 35.Kh2-g1 a5-a4 34.Bd2-c1 Kg8-g7 35.Kh2-g1 Qb7-b3 36.h4-h5 Bf3xh5 37.f2f3 g6-g5 38.f3-f4 Qb3-c2 39.Rb1-a1 Bh5-g6 40.f4-f5 Bg6-h5 41.Qf1-h3 Bh5-f3 0.31/14 ] 33...a5-a4 [ Houdini annotates: 33...a5-a4 34.Bd2-c1 Qb7-b3 35.Bc1-h6 Nd8-f7 36.Bh6-d2 Kg8-g7 37.Kh2-g1 Qb3-c2 38.Bd2-a5 Qc2-b3 39.Re1-c1 e5-e4 40.Rc1-e1 Nf7-e5 41.d3xe4 Ne5-d3 42.Re1-e2 Bf3xe2 43.Qf1xe2 c5-c4 0.41/15 ] 34.Qf1-h3 [ 34.Kh2-g1 h7-h5± ;Houdini annotates: 34.Bd2-c1 Qb7-b3 35.Bc1-h6 Nd8-f7 36.Bh6-d2 Kg8-g7 37.Kh2-g1 Qb3-c2 38.Bd2-a5 Qc2-b3 39.Re1-c1 e5-e4 40.Rc1-e1 Nf7-e5 41.d3xe4 Ne5-d3 42.Re1-e2 Bf3xe2 43.Qf1xe2 c5-c4

286

287

Levon Aronian's Best Games 0.43/13 ] 34...h7-h5 [ 34...Qb7-b5 35.Bd2-h6 Qb5xd3 36.Qh3-d7= ; Houdini annotates: 34...Qb7-b3 35.Bd2-h6 Qb3xd3 36.Qh3-d7 Kg8-f7 37.Qd7xa4 Bf3-c6 38.Qa4-d1 Qd3-f5 39.Re1-f1 g6-g5 40.h4xg5 f6xg5 41.Qd1-h5+ Kf7-g8 42.Kh2-g1 d4-d3 43.Rb1-d1 c5-c4 44.Rf1-e1 Nd8-e6 0.40/15 ] 35.Bd2-a5 [ 35.Qh3-f1!?± ; Houdini annotates: 35.Kh2-g1 Qb7-b3 36.Bd2-h6 Bf3-c6 37.Rb1-d1 c5-c4 38.d3xc4 Qb3xb2 39.Rd1-d3 Kg8-h7 40.Bh6-d2 Be7xa3 41.g3-g4 Ba3-b4 42.Bd2xb4 Qb2xb4 0.50/13 ] 35...Nd8-f7² [Houdini annotates: 35...Nd8-f7 36.Kh2-g1 Kg8-g7 37.Qh3-f1 e5-e4 38.Re1xe4 Bf3xe4 39.d3xe4 Qb7xe4 40.Rb1-e1 Qe4-b7 41.Qf1-g2 Qb7-d7 42.Qg2-e4 Be7-f8 43.Ba5-d2 Qd7-b5 44.Bd2-c1 d4-d3 45.Qe4-a8 Qb5-b3 46.Qa8-a7 Bf8-d6 47.Qa7-d7 Qb3-c2 48.Kg1-g2 c5-c4 0.16/14 ] 36.Qh3-e6 [ 36.Kh2-g1!?² should be examined more closely ; Houdini annotates: 36.Kh2-g1 Kg8-g7 37.Qh3-f1 e5-e4 38.Re1xe4 Bf3xe4 39.d3xe4 Qb7xe4 40.Rb1-e1 Qe4-b7 41.Qf1-g2 Qb7-d7 42.Ba5-d2 Be7-d8 43.Bd2-f4 Bd8-a5 44.Re1-d1 Qd7-b5 45.Qg2-d5 Qb5-e2 46.Rd1-f1 Ba5-b6 0.29/13 ] 36...Bf3-d5= [ Houdini annotates: 36...Bf3-d5 37.Qe6-b6 Qb7-d7 38.Rb1-d1 Qd7-f5 39.Qb6-b8+ Be7-f8 40.f2-f4 Bd5-e6 41.Kh2-g1 Qf5-g4 42.Rd1-d2 Qg4xg3+ 43.Rd2-g2 Qg3xd3 44.Ba5-b6 Kg8-g7 45.f4xe5 f6xe5 46.Qb8-b7 Kg7-h6 -0.45/15 ] 37.Qe6-h3 [ 37.Qe6-b6!? should not be overlooked Qb7-c8 38.Re1-e2= ; Houdini annotates: 37.Qe6-b6 Qb7-d7 38.Rb1-d1 Qd7-f5 39.Qb6-b8+ Be7-f8 40.f2-f4 Bd5-e6

41.Kh2-g1 Be6-d5 42.Kg1-h2 Bd5-e6 -0.18/16 ] 37...Qb7-b5µ

Levon Aronian's Best Games Black threatens to win material: Qb5xa5 [Houdini annotates: Black threatens to win material: Qb5xa5 [Houdini annotates: 37...Qb7-b5 38.Ba5-c7 Qb5xd3 39.g3-g4 Qd3-d2 40.Re1-f1 Qd2-f4+ 41.Qh3-g3 Qf4-h6 42.f2-f3 h5xg4 43.f3xg4 e5-e4 44.Rb1-e1 e4-e3 45.Qg3-h3 Bd5-c4 46.Rf1-f3 Nf7-d6 47.Kh2-g1 Nd6-e4 48.Bc7-f4 Qh6-h7 49.h4-h5 -0.75/18 ] 38.Ba5-c7 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Ba5-d2 Qb5xd3 39.Rb1-d1 Qd3-c2 40.Qh3-f1 Bd5-f3 41.Bd2-c1 Bf3xd1 42.Re1xd1 e5-e4 43.Rd1-d2 Qc2b3 44.Qf1-d1 Nf7-e5 45.Qd1xb3+ a4xb3 46.Kh2-g2 Kg8-f7 47.a3-a4 Ne5-f3 48.Rd2-d1 Be7-d8 49.Bc1-f4 d4-d3 50.Bf4-e3 -0.72/15 ] 38...Qb5xd3 [Houdini annotates : 38...Qb5xd3 39.g3-g4 Qd3-d2 40.Re1-f1 Qd2-f4+ 41.Qh3-g3 Qf4-h6 42.f2-f3 h5xg4 43.f3xg4 e5-e4 44.Rb1-e1 e4-e3 45.Qg3-h3 Qh6-h7 46.Bc7-f4 g6-g5 47.Bf4xe3 d4xe3 48.Re1xe3 Nf7-e5 49.Kh2-g1 g5xh4 50.Rf1-d1 Bd5-e6 51.Qh3-g2 Kg8-g7 -0.80/17 ] 39.g3-g4 [Houdini annotates: 39.g3-g4 Qd3-d2 40.Re1-f1 Qd2-f4+ 41.Qh3-g3 Qf4-h6 42.f2f3 h5xg4 43.f3xg4 e5-e4 44.Rb1e1 e4-e3 45.Qg3-h3 Qh6-h7 46.g4-g5 f6xg5 47.h4xg5 Qh7xh3+ 48.Kh2xh3 Nf7xg5+ 49.Kh3-g3 Ng5-e4+ 50.Kg3-g4 Ne4-f2+ 51.Kg4-g3 Nf2-d3 -0.65/15 ] 39...Qd3-d2 Black has a mate threat [Houdini annotates

288 : 39...Qd3-d2 40.Re1-f1 h5xg4 41.Qh3xg4 Qd2-h6 42.h4-h5 Nf7-g5 43.f2-f4 Ng5-e6 44.Bc7-b8 Ne6xf4 45.Rf1xf4 Qh6xf4+ 46.Qg4xf4 e5xf4 47.h5xg6 c5-c4 48.Bb8xf4 Kg8-g7 49.Kh2-g3 Kg7xg6 50.Bf4-d2 Be7-c5 51.Rb1-f1 Bc5-b6 52.Rf1-e1 d4-d3 53.Kg3-f4 Bb6-f2 54.Re1-e7 Bf2-d4 55.Re7-d7 -0.64/16 ] 40.Kh2-g1 [ Houdini annotates: 40.Re1-f1 h5xg4 41.Qh3xg4 Qd2-h6 42.h4-h5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nf7-g5 43.f2-f4 Ng5-e6 44.Bc7-b8 Ne6xf4 45.Rf1xf4 Qh6xf4+ 46.Qg4xf4 e5xf4 47.h5xg6 c5-c4 48.Rb1-e1 Be7-c5 49.Bb8xf4 Kg8-g7 50.Kh2-g3 d4-d3 51.Bf4-d2 Kg7xg6 52.Bd2-c3 Bc5-d6+ 53.Kg3-f2 Kg6-f5 54.Bc3-d2 Bd6-e5 -0.60/15 ] 40...Bd5-e6 Black threatens to win material: Be6xg4 [Houdini annotates: 40...h5xg4 41.Qh3xg4 Qd2-h6 42.h4-h5 Nf7-g5 43.f2-f4 Ng5-f3+ 44.Kg1-f2 f6-f5 45.Qg4xg6+ Qh6xg6 46.h5xg6 Be7-h4+ 47.Kf2-e2 d4-d3+ 48.Ke2xd3 e5-e4+ 49.Kd3-e3 Nf3xe1 50.Bc7-e5 Bd5-c4 51.Rb1-c1 Bh4-f2+ 52.Ke3-d2 Ne1-f3+ 53.Kd2-c3 Nf3xe5 54.f4xe5 Bc4-b3 -1.32/15 ] 41.Qh3-g2 [ 41.Rb1-d1!? is an interesting alternative Qd2-f4 42.Qh3-g3 Qf4xg4 43.Qg3xg4 h5xg4 44.Bc7-b6µ ; Houdini annotates: 41.Qh3-h2 Be6xg4 42.f2-f4 Qd2xh2+ 43.Kg1xh2 d4-d3 44.Kh2-g2 c5-c4 45.Bc7-a5 Kg8-g7 46.Rb1-c1 Bg4-e6 47.Ba5-d2 Be6-d5+ 48.Kg2-f2 Be7-c5+ 49.Bd2-e3 d3-d2 50.Be3xc5 d2xc1Q 51.Re1xc1 e5xf4 52.Rc1-d1 Bd5-c6 -0.24/15 ] 41...h5xg4µ [Houdini annotates : 41...h5xg4 42.Qg2-b7 Qd2-f4 43.Rb1-c1 g4-g3 44.f2xg3 Qf4xg3+ 45.Qb7-g2 Qg3xh4 46.Qg2xg6+ Kg8-f8 47.Re1-e4 Qh4-g5+ 48.Qg6xg5 Nf7xg5 49.Re4-e2 e5-e4 50.Kg1-g2 d4-d3 51.Re2-e3 Be6-g4 52.Bc7-a5 Kf8-f7 53.Rc1-c4 f6-f5 54.Rc4xa4 Ng5-f3 55.Kg2-f2 Be7-h4+ 56.Kf2-g2 Kf7-g6 -0.79/15 ] 42.Rb1-c1 [Houdini annotates: 42.Qg2-b7 Qd2-f4 43.Re1-e2 Be6-f5 44.Rb1-d1 g4-g3 45.Qb7-g2 d4-d3 46.Re2-d2 g3xf2+ 47.Rd2xf2 Qf4-d4 48.Bc7-a5 Kg8-g7 49.Ba5-c3 Qd4-d7 Diagram

289 50.Qg2-g3 c5-c4 51.Bc3-b4 Be7xb4 52.a3xb4 a4-a3 53.b2xa3 c4-c3 -0.50/14 ] 42...Kg8-g7 [ ¹42...d4-d3

Levon Aronian's Best Games

290 Bh1xb7 57.Rc1-a1 Bb7-c6 -1.29/15 ] 44.Qg2-c6³ [Houdini annotates:

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+qvlnmk-0 187 9-+-+-zpp+0 9+-zp-zpl+-0 9p+-+-+-zP0 9zP-vLp+-+-0

9-zP-+-tRQ+0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 43.Rc1-d1 Qd2xb2 44.Rd1xd3 c5-c4µ ;Houdini annotates: 42...Qd2xb2 43.Rc1-b1 Qb2xa3 44.Qg2-c6 Be6-b3 45.Rb1-a1 Qa3-b2 46.Qc6-d7 g4-g3 47.f2xg3 Be7-f8 48.Qd7-c6 Bf8-h6 49.Qc6xc5 Bh6-e3+ 50.Kg1-h1 d4-d3 51.Qc5-c6 Kg8-g7 52.Re1-b1 Qb2-e2 -1.50/15 ] 43.Bc7-b6? [ 43.Qg2-c6 Be6-f5 44.Bc7-b6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 43.Qg2-b7 Be7-f8 44.Re1-f1 Be6-b3 45.Qb7-g2 f6-f5 46.f2-f4 Qd2-e3+ 47.Qg2-f2 Qe3-h3 48.f4xe5 Bf8-e7 49.e5-e6 Be7xh4 50.Qf2-g2 Qh3-e3+ 51.Kg1-h1 Qe3xe6 52.Rc1xc5 d4-d3 53.Bc7-f4 Qe6-e2 54.Bf4-d2 Bh4-g3 55.Bd2-f4 Bg3xf4 56.Rf1xf4 -0.81/16 ] 43...c5-c4?? hands over the advantage to the opponent [ ¹43...f6-f5-+ and Black could have gained the advantage ;Houdini annotates: 43...Qd2xb2 44.Bb6xc5 Be7xc5 45.Rc1xc5 d4-d3 46.Rc5-c7 Qb2xa3 47.Qg2-c6 Qa3-b3 48.Re1-a1 d3-d2 49.Qc6-c2 Qb3-b6 50.Rc7xf7+ Be6xf7 51.Qc2xd2 Bf7-e8 52.Qd2-e3 Qb6-b7 53.Ra1-c1 Be8-c6 54.Qe3-c5 Bc6-h1 55.Qc5-c7+ Kg7-h6 56.Qc7xb7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44.Qg2-c6 Be6-f5 45.Qc6xc4 Be7-d6 46.Bb6-c5 Bd6xc5 47.Qc4xc5 Qd2-f4 48.Qc5-d5 g4-g3 49.Qd5-g2 d4-d3 50.Re1-f1 d3-d2 51.Rc1-a1 Qf4xh4 52.Qg2xg3 Qh4-d4 53.Qg3-e3 Qd4-g4+ 54.Qe3-g3 Qg4-h5 55.Ra1-d1 Nf7-g5 56.f2-f3 Qh5-h6 57.Kg1-f2 Ng5-h3+ 58.Kf2-e2 Nh3-f4+ 59.Ke2-f2 Nf4-d3+ 60.Kf2-e2 -0.37/17 ] 44...g4-g3 [ 44...Be6-f5 45.Qc6xc4 Be7-d6 46.Bb6-c5 Bd6xc5 47.Qc4xc5 Qd2xb2 48.Qc5-b4= ;Houdini annotates: 44...g4-g3 45.f2xg3 Be7d6 46.Qc6-g2 Qd2-d3 47.Re1-f1 Qd3-b3 48.Qg2-f3 Qb3xf3 49.Rf1xf3 e5-e4 50.Rf3-f1 Bd6-e5 51.Rf1-e1 d4-d3 52.Rc1-b1 Be5xg3 53.Bb6-f2 Bg3-e5 54.Re1xe4 Nf7-d6 55.Re4-e1 Be6-g4 56.Bf2-e3 Nd6-f5 -0.20/15 ] 45.f2xg3= [Houdini annotates: 45.f2xg3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-vlnmk-0 188 9-vLQ+lzpp+0 188 9+-+-zp-+-0 9p+pzp-+-zP0 9zP-+-+-zP-0 9-zP-wq-+-+0 9+-tR-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Be7-d6 46.Qc6-g2 Qd2-d3 47.Re1-f1 Qd3-b3 48.Qg2-f3 Qb3xf3 49.Rf1xf3 e5-e4 50.Rf3-f1 Bd6-e5 51.Rf1-e1

291 49.Rf1xf3 e5-e4 50.Rf3-f1 Bd6-e5 49.Rf1xf3 e5-e4 50.Rf3-f1 Bd6-e5 51.Rf1-e1 d4-d3 52.Rc1-b1 Be5xg3 53.Bb6-f2 Bg3-e5 54.Re1xe4 Nf7-d6 55.Re4-e1 Be6-g4 56.Bf2-e3 Nd6-f5 -0.20/15 ] 46.Qc6-f3 [ ¹46.Rc1-d1 and White is still in the game Qd2xb2 47.Bb6xd4= ;Houdini annotates: 46.Rc1-d1 Qd2-c2 47.Rd1xd4 e5xd4 48.Re1xe7 Bh3-g4 49.Re7xf7+ Kg7xf7 50.Qc6-c7+ Kf7-e6 51.Qc7-c8+ Ke6-d5 52.Qc8-c5+ Kd5-e6 53.Qc5-c6+ Ke6-f7 54.Qc6-c7+ -0.07/15 ] 46...Qd2xb2µ [ Houdini annotates: 46...Qd2xb2 47.Rc1-b1 Qb2xa3 48.Qf3xa3 Be7xa3 49.Rb1-a1 Ba3-b2 50.Ra1xa4 c4-c3 51.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 52.Bb6-e3 c3-c2 53.Be3-d2 Nf7-d6 54.g3-g4 f6-f5 55.Kf2-e3 e5-e4 56.g4xf5 g6xf5 57.Bd2-c1 Bb2-c3 58.Re1-h1 Bh3-g4 59.Rh1-f1 Kg7-f6 60.Bc1-d2 Bc3-e5 61.Bd2-c1 -1.28/15 ] 47.Bb6-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 47.Rc1-b1 Qb2xa3 48.Qf3xa3 Be7xa3 49.Rb1-a1 Ba3-b2 50.Ra1xa4 c4-c3 51.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 52.Bb6-e3 c3-c2 53.Be3-d2 Ba3-b2 50.Ra1xa4 c4-c3 51.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 52.Bb6-e3 c3-c2 53.Be3-d2 Bh3-d7 54.Ra4-b4 Bb2-a3 55.Rb4-c4 Bd7-b5 56.Rc4-c7 Ba3-d6 57.Rc7-c8 f6-f5 58.Re1-c1 e5-e4 59.Bd2-c3+ Kg7-h6 60.Bc3-d2+ Kh6-h5 61.Rc8-g8 Bd6-a3 -1.60/16 ] 47...Qb2-b3 [ Houdini annotates: 47...c4-c3 48.g3-g4 d4-d3 49.Re1-d1 c3-c2 50.Qf3xh3 c2xd1Q+ 51.Rc1xd1 e5-e4 52.Qh3-g2 Qb2-b7 53.Ba7-e3 Nf7-e5 54.Rd1-a1 Ne5-f3+ 55.Kg1-f1 Qb7-d7 d4-d3 52.Rc1-b1 Be5xg3 53.Bb6-f2 Bg3-e5 54.Re1xe4 Nf7-d6 55.Re4-e1 Be6-g4 56.Bf2-e3 Nd6-f5 -0.34/14 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 45...Be6-h3 [Houdini annotates: 45...Be7-d6 46.Qc6-g2 Qd2-d3 47.Re1-f1 Qd3-b3 48.Qg2-f3 Qb3xf3

292 56.h4-h5 d3-d2 57.Ra1-d1 Be7xa3 56.h4-h5 d3-d2 57.Ra1-d1 Be7xa3 58.h5xg6 Kg7xg6 59.Qg2-h3 Qd7-d3+ 60.Kf1-f2 Kg6-f7 61.Qh3-h5+ Kf7-e7 -2.85/13 ] 48.Qf3xb3 [Houdini annotates : 48.Qf3xb3 c4xb3 49.Rc1-c4 Be7-d6 50.Rc4xa4 Bh3-f5 51.Ra4-a6 Bf5-c2 52.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 53.Ba7-e3 b3-b2 54.Ra6-b6 d3-d2 55.Rb6xb2 d2xe1Q+ 56.Kf2xe1 Bc2-a4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 57.Rb2-b6 Bd6xa3 58.Rb6-a6 Ba3-b4+ 59.Be3-d2 Ba4-b5 60.Ra6-b6 Bb4xd2+ 61.Ke1xd2 Bb5-c4 62.Rb6-c6 Bc4-d5 63.Rc6-c5 Bd5-b7 64.Rc5-c7 -1.08/19 ] 48...c4xb3 [Houdini annotates: 48...c4xb3 49.Rc1-c4 Be7-d6 50.Rc4xa4 Bh3-f5 51.Ra4-a6 Bf5-c2 52.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 53.Ba7-e3 b3-b2 54.Ra6-b6 d3-d2 55.Rb6xb2 d2xe1Q+ 56.Kf2xe1 Bc2-a4 57.Rb2-b6 Bd6xa3 58.Rb6-a6 Ba3-b4+ 59.Be3-d2 Ba4-b5 60.Ra6-b6 Bb4xd2+ 61.Ke1xd2 Bb5-c4 62.Rb6-c6 Bc4-d5 63.Rc6-c5 Bd5-b7 64.Rc5-c7 -1.06/18 ] 49.Ba7xd4 [ 49.Rc1-c4 b3-b2 50.Re1-b1 Be7xa3 51.Rc4xa4 Bh3-f5 52.Ra4xa3 Bf5xb1µ ;Houdini annotates: 49.Rc1-c4 Be7-d6 50.Rc4xa4 Bh3-f5 51.Ra4-a6 Bf5-c2 52.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 53.Ba7-e3 b3-b2 54.Ra6-b6 d3-d2 55.Rb6xb2 d2xe1Q+ 56.Kf2xe1 Bc2-a4 57.Rb2-b7 Bd6xa3 58.Rb7-a7 Ba3-b4+ 59.Be3-d2 Bb4xd2+ 60.Ke1xd2 Ba4-c6 61.Kd2-e3 f6-f5 62.Ra7-c7 Bc6-d5 63.Rc7-d7 Bd5-e6 64.Rd7-b7 Kg7-f6 65.Rb7-b6 Nf7-d8 -1.03/16 ] 49...Be7xa3 [Houdini annotates : 49...Be7xa3 50.Bd4-c5 Ba3xc1 51.Re1xc1 e5-e4 52.Bc5-a3 e4-e3 53.Rc1-c3 Nf7-e5 54.Rc3xe3 Ne5-c4 55.Re3-e7+ Kg7-g8 56.Re7-e8+ Kg8-f7 57.Re8-e7+ Kf7-f8 58.Ba3-c5 b3-b2 59.Re7-b7+ Kf8-e8 60.Bc5-a3 Nc4xa3 61.Rb7xb2 Bh3-d7 62.Rb2-b4 Ke8-e7 63.Kg1-f2 Bd7-c6 64.Rb4-g4 Ke7-f7 65.Rg4-f4 Kf7-e6 66.Kf2-e3 f6-f5 67.Ke3-d2 Bc6-e4 68.Kd2-c3 Ke6-d5 -1.96/18 ] 50.Rc1-a1?! not the greatest defence

293 [ 50.Bd4-c5 Ba3xc1 51.Re1xc1 Bh3-f5-+ ;Houdini annotates: 50.Bd4-c5 Ba3xc1 51.Re1xc1 e5-e4 52.Bc5-a3 e4-e3 53.Rc1-c3 Nf7-e5 54.Rc3xe3 Ne5-c4 55.Re3-e7+

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg7-g8 56.Re7-e8+ Kg8-f7 Kg7-g8 56.Re7-e8+ Kg8-f7 57.Re8-e7+ Kf7-f8 58.Ba3-c5 b3-b2 59.Re7-b7+ Kf8-e8 60.Bc5-a3 Nc4xa3 61.Rb7xb2 Bh3-d7 62.Rb2-b4 Ke8-e7 63.Kg1-f2 Bd7-c6 64.Rb4-g4 Ke7-f7 65.Rg4-f4 Kf7-e6 66.Kf2-e3 f6-f5 67.Ke3-d2 Bc6-e4 68.Kd2-c3 Ke6-d5 -2.09/19 ] 50...Ba3-b4 [ 50...e5xd4?! 51.Ra1xa3 Bh3-d7 52.Kg1-f2-+ ; Houdini annotates: 50...Ba3-b4 51.Bd4-b2 Bb4xe1 52.Ra1xe1 Nf7-d6 53.Re1-c1 Bh3-e6 54.g3-g4 Nd6-c4 55.Rc1xc4 Be6xc4 56.g4-g5 Kg7-f7 57.g5xf6 Kf7xf6 58.Kg1-f2 Kf6-e6 59.Kf2-e3 Ke6-d5 60.Ke3-d2 e5-e4 61.Bb2-c1 Kd5-d4 62.Bc1-b2+ Kd4-c5 63.Bb2-a3+ Kc5-b5 64.Kd2-e3 Bc4-d3 65.Ke3-d4 -2.13/20 ] 51.Re1-b1 [ Houdini annotates: 51.Bd4-b2 Bb4xe1 52.Ra1xe1 Nf7-d6 53.Re1-c1 Bh3-e6 54.g3-g4 Nd6-c4 55.Rc1xc4 Be6xc4 56.g4-g5 f6xg5 57.h4xg5 Kg7-f7 58.Kg1-f2 Kf7-e6 59.Kf2-e3 Ke6-d5 60.Ke3-d2 e5-e4 61.Bb2-a3 Kd5-d4 62.Ba3-b2+ Kd4-c5 63.Bb2-a3+ Kc5-d5 64.Ba3-c1 Bc4-d3 65.Bc1-b2 Kd5-c4 66.Kd2-e3 Kc4-b4 -2.18/19 ] 51...e5xd4 [ ¹51...Bh3-f5 keeps an even firmer grip 52.Ra1xa4 Bf5xb1 ( 52...e5xd4?! is much worse 53.Rb1xb3 Bb4-c3 54.Ra4-a8µ ) 53.Ra4xb4 e5xd4 54.Rb4xb3 Bb1-c2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 51...Bh3-f5 52.Ra1xa4 Bf5xb1 53.Ra4xb4 e5xd4 54.Rb4xb3 Bb1-c2 55.Rb3-b4 d4-d3 56.Rb4-d4 Nf7-e5 57.Kg1-f2 Kg7-f7 58.Kf2-e3 d3-d2 59.Rd4xd2 Ne5-c4+ 60.Ke3-e2 Nc4xd2 61.Ke2xd2 Bc2-f5 62.Kd2-e3 Bf5-d7 63.Ke3-f4 f6-f5 64.Kf4-e5 Bd7-e6 65.Ke5-f4 Kf7-f6 66.Kf4-e3 Kf6-e5 -3.25/16 ] 52.Ra1xa4 [ Houdini annotates: 52.Ra1xa4

294 Bb4-c5 53.Ra4-a5 Bc5-d6 54.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 55.Rb3-b7 Bd6xg3 56.Rb7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games Be6-b3 57.Re7-b7 Bb3-c4 58.Rb7-d7 Bg3-d6 59.Ra5-a7 Bd6-e5 60.Ra7-a5 Be5-f4 61.Kg1-g2 Bf4-d6 62.Ra5-a7 Bd6-e5 63.Ra7-a5 Bc4-e6 64.Rd7-e7 Be6-b3 65.Re7-d7 Bb3-c4 66.Kg2-g1 Be5-f4 -1.14/19 ] 52...Bb4-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 52...Bb4-c5 53.Ra4-a5 Bc5-d6 54.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 55.Rb3-b7 Bd6xg3 56.Rb7-e7 Be6-b3 57.Re7-b7 Bb3-c4 58.Rb7-d7 Bg3-d6 59.Ra5-a7 Bd6-e5 60.Ra7-a5 Be5-f4 61.Kg1-g2 Bf4-d6 62.Ra5-a7 Bd6-e5 63.Ra7-a5 Bc4-e6 64.Rd7-e7 Be6-b3 65.Re7-d7 Bb3-c4 66.Kg2-g1 Be5-f4 -1.04/20 ] 53.Ra4-a5 [Houdini annotates : 53.Ra4-a5 Bc5-d6 54.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 55.Rb3-b7 Bd6xg3 56.Rb7-e7 Be6-b3 57.Re7-b7 Bb3-c4 58.Ra5-a4 Bc4-d5 59.Rb7-a7 Bg3-e5 60.Kg1-f2 d4-d3 61.Kf2-e3 Be5-b8 62.Ra7-a6 Nf7-e5 63.Ra6-b6 Bb8-c7 64.Ra4-a7 Ne5-c4+ 65.Ke3xd3 Nc4xb6 66.Ra7xc7+ Kg7-h6 67.Kd3-d4 Bd5-a8 68.Rc7-f7 Nb6-d5 69.Rf7-a7 Ba8-c6 -1.08/19 ] 53...Bc5-b6 [ 53...Bc5-d6 54.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 55.Rb3-d3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 53...Bc5-d6 54.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 55.Rb3-f3 Be6-c4 56.Kg1-g2 d4-d3 57.Rf3-f1 Bc4-b3 58.Rf1-f2 Nf7-e5 59.Rf2-b2 Bb3-f7 60.Rb2-b7 d3-d2 61.Ra5-d5 Bd6-b4 62.Rd5-d4 Bb4-c3 63.Rd4-d6 Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-b1 Ne5-c4 65.Rd6-d3 Bc3-e5 66.Kg2-f3 Kh6-h5 -1.14/18 ] 54.Ra5-b5 [ 54.Ra5-a6!? Bh3-f5 55.Rb1xb3µ ;Houdini annotates: 54.Ra5-a6 Bh3-f5 55.Rb1xb3 Bb6-c5 56.Ra6-a5 Bc5-d6 57.Ra5-d5 Bf5-e4 58.Rd5xd4 Bd6-c5 59.Rb3-b4

295 Nf7-e5 60.Kg1-f1 Be4-c6 61.Kf1-e2 Kg7-f7 62.Rd4-f4 Bc5xb4 63.Rf4xb4 Kf7-e6 64.Rb4-b6 Ke6-f5 65.Ke2-f2 -0.68/16 ] 54...Bb6-c7-+ [Houdini annotates : 54...Bb6-c7 55.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 56.Rb3-b4 Bc7-e5 57.Kg1-f2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Nf7-d6 58.Rb5-a5 d4-d3 59.Ra5-a7+ Kg7-h6 60.Kf2-e3 Be5xg3 61.Ke3xd3 f6-f5 62.Ra7-a6 Nd6-e4 63.Kd3-e3 Nf7-d6 58.Rb5-a5 d4-d3 59.Ra5-a7+ Kg7-h6 60.Kf2-e3 Be5xg3 61.Ke3xd3 f6-f5 62.Ra7-a6 Nd6-e4 63.Kd3-e3 Be6-d5 64.Rb4-b1 Bg3-f2+ 65.Ke3f4 Ne4-c5 66.Ra6-a3 Bd5-e4 67.Rb1d1 Bf2xh4 68.Kf4-e5 Kh6-g5 69.Rd1g1+ Kg5-h5 70.Rg1-d1 g6-g5 71.Ra3-c3 Bh4-f2 -0.94/19 ] 55.Rb5xb3 [ Houdini annotates: 55.Rb1xb3 Bh3-e6 56.Rb3-b4 Bc7-e5 57.Kg1f2 Nf7-d6 58.Rb5-a5 d4-d3 59.Ra5-a7+ Kg7-h6 60.Kf2-e3 Be5xg3 61.Ke3xd3 f6-f5 62.Ra7-a6 Nd6-e4 63.Kd3-c2 Be6-f7 64.Ra6-a7 Bf7-d5 65.Rb4b5 Bg3-f2 66.Ra7-c7 Ne4-f6 67.Kc2d3 Bf2xh4 68.Kd3-d4 Bh4f2+ 69.Kd4-e5 -0.72/16 ] 55...Bc7e5 [ 55...Bh3-f5 56.Rb1-c1 Bc7e5 57.Kg1-g2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 55...Bh3-f5 56.Rb1-f1 Bc7e5 57.Rb3-b7 Bf5-e4 58.Rb7-e7 d4d3 59.g3-g4 Kg7-f8 60.Re7-e6 Be5d4+ 61.Kg1-h2 Be4-d5 62.Re6-a6 Kf8e7 63.Rf1-d1 Bd5-b7 64.Ra6-a4 Bd4e5+ 65.Kh2-g1 -1.06/17 ] 56.Kg1f2

296 [ Houdini annotates: 56.Rb1-d1 Bh3-g4 57.Rd1-d2 Nf7-d6 58.Rb3-b4 Nd6-f5 59.Kg1-g2 Kg7-f7 60.Rb4-b5 Kf7-e6 61.Rb5-b3 Nf5-e3+ 62.Kg2-f2 Bg4-f5 63.Kf2-f3 Ne3-f1 64.Rd2-g2 Ke6-d5 65.Rb3-b5+ Kd5-c4 66.Rb5-b6 Nf1-e3 67.Rg2-a2 d4-d3 68.Ra2-d2 Kc4-c3 -0.82/17 ] 56...Nf7-d6 [ ¹56...Bh3-f5 57.Rb1-g1 Nf7-d6µ ;Houdini annotates: 56...Bh3-f5 57.Rb1-e1 d4-d3 58.Rb3-b7 Bf5-c8 59.Rb7-b3 Be5-d4+ 60.Kf2-g2 Nf7-e5 61.Re1-d1 Kg7-f7 62.Rb3xd3 Ne5xd3 63.Rd1xd3 Bd4-c5 64.Rd3-b3 Bc8-a6 65.Rb3-b1 Ba6-c4 66.Rb1-d1 Kf7-e6 67.Rd1-e1+ Ke6-f5 68.Re1-d1 Kf5-g4 -1.12/18 ] 57.Kf2-f3? [ ¹57.Rb1-e1µ ;Houdini 2. 0c : 57.Rb3-a3 d4-d3 58.Ra3xd3 Bh3-f5 59.Rd3xd6 Bf5xb1

Levon Aronian's Best Games 60.Rd6-a6 Kg7-h6 61.g3-g4 f6-f5 62.Ra6-a5 Be5-c3 63.Ra5-a3 Bc3-d4+ 64.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 65.Kf3xg4 Bb1-f5+ 66.Kg4-f4 Kh6-h5 67.Ra3-a4 -1.00/16 ] 57...Bh3-e6-+ [ Houdini annotates: 57...Bh3-e6 58.Rb3-b4 Be6-d5+ 59.Kf3-e2 Nd6-e4 60.Ke2-d3 Ne4xg3 61.Rb4xd4 Be5xd4 62.Kd3xd4 Bd5-e6 63.Rb1-b6 Ng3-f5+ 64.Kd4-c5 Be6-f7 65.Rb6-b4 g6-g5 66.h4xg5 f6xg5 67.Rb4-g4 Kg7-f6 68.Rg4-a4 Bf7-e6 69.Ra4-b4 Nf5-e3 70.Rb4-e4 Ne3-c4 71.Kc5-d4 Nc4-d2 72.Re4-e2 Nd2-f3+ 73.Kd4-e4 g5-g4 -1.55/20 ] 58.Rb3-a3 [ 58.Rb3-b4 Be6-d5+ 59.Kf3-e2 Nd6-e4-+ ;Houdini annotates: 58.Rb3-b4 Be6-d5+ 59.Kf3-e2 Nd6-e4 60.Ke2-d3 Ne4xg3 61.Rb4xd4 Be5xd4 62.Kd3xd4 Bd5-e6 63.Rb1-b6 Ng3-f5+ 64.Kd4-c5 Be6-f7 65.Rb6-b4 g6-g5 66.h4xg5 f6xg5 67.Rb4-g4 Kg7-f6 68.Rg4-a4 Bf7-e6 69.Ra4-b4 Nf5-e3 70.Rb4-e4 Ne3-c4 71.Kc5-d4 Nc4-d2 72.Re4-e2 Nd2-f3+ 73.Kd4-e4 g5-g4 -1.65/18 ] 58...Be6-d5+ [ Houdini annotates: 58...Be6-d5+ 59.Kf3-e2 Nd6-b5 60.Ra3-a5 Nb5-c3+ 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-e1 69.Kf4-e3 Be1xh4 70.Ke3-d2 Bh4-f6 71.Rd7-b7 Bf6-g5+ 72.Kd2-d1 Nb4-c6 73.Rb7-b6 Nc6-d4 74.Rb6-d6 Bg5-e3 -2.45/20 ] 59.Kf3-e2 [ Houdini annotates: 59.Kf3-e2 Nd6-b5 60.Ra3-a5 Nb5-c3+ 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-d2+ 69.Kf4-f3

297 Bd2-e1 70.Rd7-d4 Nb4-c6 71.Rd4-a4 Kh6-h5 72.Kf3-e3 Nc6-e5 73.Ra4-a1 Be1xh4 74.Ra1-b1 Bh4-f6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 75.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g4 76.Rh1-g1+ 75.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g4 76.Rh1-g1+ Kg4-f5 77.Rg1-f1+ Kf5-e6 -2.49/17 ] 59...Nd6-b5! Decoy: b5 [Houdini annotates : 59...Nd6-b5 60.Ra3-a5 Nb5-c3+ 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-d2+ 69.Kf4-f3 Bd2-e1 70.Rd7-d4 Nb4-c6 71.Rd4-a4 Kh6-h5 72.Kf3-e3 Nc6-e5 73.Ra4-a1 Be1xh4 74.Ra1-b1 Bh4-f6 75.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g4 76.Rh1-g1+ Kg4-f5 77.Rg1f1+ Kf5-e6 -2.39/17 ] 60.Ra3a5 [ 60.Rb1xb5 Bd5-c4+ Decoy Double attack ; …60.-- Nb5xa3 Wins material ; Houdini annotates: 60.Ra3-a5 Nb5-c3+ 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-d2+ 69.Kf4-f3 Bd2-e1 70.Rd7-d4 Nb4-c6 71.Rd4-a4 Nc6-e5+ 72.Kf3-e3 Kh6-h5 73.Ra4-a1 Be1xh4 74.Ra1-b1 Bh4-f6 75.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g4 76.Rh1-g1+ Kg4-f5 77.Rg1-f1+ Kf5-e6 -2.49/18 ] 60...Nb5-c3+ [Houdini annotates: 60...Nb5-c3+ 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-e1 69.Kf4-e3 Be1xh4 70.Ke3-d2 Bh4-f6 71.Rd7-b7 Bf6-g5+ 72.Kd2-d1 Nb4-c6 73.Rb7-b6 Nc6-d4 74.Rb6-a6 Bg5-f4 -2.38/17 ] 61.Ke2-f2 [Houdini annotates: 61.Ke2-f2 d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3

298 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-d2+ 69.Kf4-f3 Bd2-e1 70.Rd7-d4 Nb4-c6 71.Rd4-a4 Nc6-e5+ 72.Kf3-e3 Kh6-h5 73.Ra4-a1 Be1xh4 74.Ra1-b1 Bh4-f6 75.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 76.Rh1-g1+ Kg4-f5 77.Rg1-f1+ Kf5-e6 -2.49/18 ] 61...d4-d3 [ Houdini annotates: 61...d4-d3 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-d1 Nd5-b4 64.Kf2-f3 Be5-c3 65.Rd1-b1 f6-f5 66.Rb1-d1 Kg7-f6 67.Kf3-e3 Kf6-e5 68.Rd1-b1 d3-d2 69.Ke3-e2 Ke5-d4 70.g3-g4 Nb4-d3 71.g4xf5 g6xf5 72.Rb1-b8 Nd3-b2 73.Rb8-d8+ Kd4-e4 74.Rd8-e8+ Ke4-f4 -2.52/19 ] 62.Ra5xd5 [Houdini annotates: 62.Ra5xd5 Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-e1 69.Kf4-e3 Be1xh4 70.Ke3-d2 Bh4-f6 71.Rd7-b7 Bf6-g5+ 72.Kd2-d1 Nb4-c6 73.Rb7-b3 Nc6-e5 74.Rb3-b4 Kh6-h5 75.Rb4-b5 Bg5-f4 -2.56/19 ] 62...Nc3xd5 [ 62...Nc3xb1?! is much weaker 63.Rd5-d7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rd7xd3³ ; Houdini annotates: 62...Nc3xd5 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7-h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-e1 69.Kf4-e3 Be1xh4 70.Ke3-d2 Bh4-f6 71.Rd7-b7 Bf6-g5+ 72.Kd2-d1 Nb4-c6 73.Rb7-b3 Nc6-e5 74.Rb3-b4 Ne5-f3 75.Rb4-b6 Bg5-e7 -2.39/18 ] 63.Rb1-b7+ [ 63.Rb1-d1 Nd5-b4-+ ; Houdini annotates: 63.Rb1-b7+ Kg7h6 64.Rb7-d7 Nd5-b4 65.g3-g4 f6-f5 66.Kf2-f3 f5xg4+ 67.Kf3xg4 Be5-c3 68.Kg4-f4 Bc3-e1 69.Kf4-e3 Be1xh4 70.Ke3-d2 Bh4-f6 71.Rd7-b7 Bf6-g5+ 72.Kd2-d1 Nb4-c6 73.Rb7-b3 Nc6-e5 74.Rb3-b4 Ne5-f3 75.Rb4-b6 Bg5-e7 -2.37/19 ] 63...Be5-c7 [ Houdini annotates: 63...Be5-c7 64.Kf2-f3 Kg7-h6 65.Rb7-b3 Bc7xg3 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5

299 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3xh4 74.Ra7-a6 Bh4-g5 75.Kg4-f3 Nf5-e3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 76.Kf3-e4 Kh6-h5 77.Ke4-d4 f6-f5 76.Kf3-e4 Kh6-h5 77.Ke4-d4 f6-f5 78.Ra6-e6 Ne3-g4 79.Kd4-d5 Bg5-f6 -2.17/21 ] 64.Kf2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 64.Kf2-f3 Kg7-h6 65.Rb7-b3 Bc7xg3 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3xh4 74.Ra7-a6 Bh4-g5 75.Kg4-f3 Nf5-e3 76.Kf3-e4 Kh6-h5 77.Ke4d4 f6-f5 78.Ra6-e6 Ne3-g4 79.Kd4d5 Bg5-f6 -2.24/20 ] 64...Kg7-h6 [ Houdini annotates: 64...Kg7-h6 65.Rb7-b3 Bc7xg3 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3-f2 74.Ra7-a5 Bf2xh4 75.Ra5-a6 Bh4-g5 76.Kg4-f3 Kh6-h5 77.Ra6-b6 Nf5-e3 78.Rb6-b2 Ne3-g4 79.Rb2-b7 Ng4-e5+ 80.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g4 81.Rb7-b6 Ne5-d7 82.Rb6d6 f6-f5+ 83.Ke4-d5 Nd7-f6+ 84.Kd5-d4 f5-f4 -2.16/22 ] 65.Rb7-b3 [ 65.g3-g4 d3-d2 66.Kf3-e2 Bc7-f4-+ ;Houdini 2. 0c : 65.Rb7-b3 Bc7xg3 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3-f2 74.Ra7-a5 Bf2xh4 75.Ra5-a6 Bh4-g5 76.Kg4-f3 Kh6-h5 77.Ra6-b6 Nf5-e3 78.Rb6-b2 Ne3-g4 79.Rb2-b7 Ng4-e5+ 80.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g4 81.Rb7-b6 Ne5-d7 82.Rb6-d6 f6-f5+ 83.Ke4-d5 Nd7-f6+ 84.Kd5-d4 f5-f4 -2.23/21 ] 65...Bc7xg3! here's the full point. [ Houdini annotates: 65...Bc7xg3 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5

300 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3-f2 74.Ra7-a5 Bf2xh4 75.Ra5-a6 Bh4-g5 76.Kg4-f3 Nf5-e3 77.Kf3-e4 Kh6-h5 78.Ke4-d4 f6-f5 79.Ra6-e6 Ne3-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 80.Kd4-d5 Bg5-f6 -2.17/22 ] 66.Rb3xd3 [ 66.Kf3xg3 d3-d2 Promotion Passed pawn ; …66.-Bg3xh4 Wins material ;Houdini 2.0c : 66.Rb3xd3 Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3-f2 74.Ra7-a5 Bf2xh4 75.Ra5-a6 Bh4-g5 76.Kg4-f3 Kh6-h5 77.Ra6-b6 Bg5-h4 78.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g5 79.Rb6-c6 Bh4-g3 80.Ke4-d3 Bg3-e5 81.Kd3-e4 Kg5-g4 -2.27/21 ] 66...Nd5-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 66...Nd5-f4 67.Rd3-d4 Nf4-e6 68.Rd4-b4 Bg3-c7 69.Rb4-a4 Bc7-e5 70.Ra4-a7 Ne6-d4+ 71.Kf3-g2 Nd4-f5 72.Kg2-h3 Be5-g3 73.Kh3-g4 Bg3-f2 74.Ra7-c7 Bf2xh4 75.Rc7-f7 Bh4-g5 76.Kg4-f3 Nf5-e3 77.Rf7-b7 Ne3-c4 78.Kf3-e2 f6-f5 79.Rb7-b4 Nc4-e5 80.Rb4-b5 Bg5-f6 -2.23/20 ] 67.Rd3-d8 [ Houdini annotates: 67.Rd3-b3 Nf4-h5 68.Rb3-b4 f6-f5 69.Rb4-c4 f5-f4 70.Kf3-g4 Nh5-f6+ 71.Kg4-h3 Nf6-d5 72.Rc4-c5 Nd5-e3 73.Rc5-h5+ Kh6-g7 74.Rh5-c5 Bg3-f2 75.Rc5-c7+ Kg7-h6 76.Rc7-f7 Bf2-g3 77.h4-h5 g6xh5 78.Rf7-h7+ Kh6-g6 79.Rh7xh5 Bg3-e1 80.Rh5-e5 Be1-c3 81.Re5-e6+ Kg6-f5 -2.01/19 ] 67...Nf4-h5 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 67...Nf4-h5 68.Rd8-d4 Nh5-g7 69.Rd4-a4 Ng7-f5 70.Ra4-a6 Bg3xh4 71.Kf3-g4 Bh4-g5 72.Kg4-f3 Kh6-h5 73.Ra6-b6 Bg5-h4 74.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g5 75.Rb6-c6 Bh4-g3 76.Rc6-b6 Nf5-d6+ 77.Ke4-d5 Bg3-e5 78.Rb6-a6 Nd6-f5 79.Kd5-e6 Nf5-e3 -2.25/17 ] (Diagram 189)

301 68.Kf3-g4 [ 68.Rd8-h8+ does not win a prize Kh6-g7 69.Rh8-c8 Bg3xh4 70.Rc8-c7+ Kg7-h6-+ ;Houdini 2.0c

302

Levon Aronian's Best Games

Bf2xh4 71.Rd8-h8+ Kh6-g7 72.Rh8-a8-+ ; Houdini annotates: 69...Bg3-f2 70.Kh3-g2 Bf2xh4 71.Rd8-f8 Nh5-f6 189 72.Kg2-h3 Bh4-g5 73.Kh3-g2 Nf6-e4

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tR-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-zppmk0 9+-+-+-+n0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+Kvl-0

9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy : 68.Rd8-d4 Nh5-g7 69.Rd4-a4 Ng7-f5 70.Ra4-a6 Bg3xh4 71.Kf3-g4 Bh4-g5 72.Kg4-f3 Kh6-h5 73.Ra6-b6 Nf5-e3 74.Rb6-b2 Ne3-g4 75.Rb2-b7 Ng4-e5+ 76.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g4 77.Rb7-b6 Ne5-d7 78.Rb6-d6 f6-f5+ 79.Ke4-d5 Nd7-f6+ 80.Kd5-d4 Kg4-f3 -2.22/17 ] 68...f6-f5+ [ Houdini annotates: 68...f6-f5+ 69.Kg4-h3 Bg3-f2 70.Kh3-g2 Bf2xh4 71.Rd8-b8 Nh5-f6 72.Rb8-h8+ Kh6-g5 73.Kg2-h3 Nf6-d5 74.Rh8-b8 Nd5-f4+ 75.Kh3-h2 Kg5-g4 76.Rb8-b6 g6-g5 77.Rb6-b4 Bh4-f2 78.Rb4-b3 Bf2-c5 79.Rb3-b1 Bc5-d4 80.Rb1-d1 Bd4-b6 81.Rd1-b1 Nf4-d5 82.Kh2-g2 f5-f4 -3.22/20 ] 69.Kg4-h3 [Houdini annotates : 69.Kg4-h3 Bg3-f2 70.Kh3-g2 Bf2xh4 71.Rd8-c8 Nh5-f6 72.Rc8h8+ Kh6-g5 73.Kg2-h3 Nf6-d5 74.Rh8-a8 Nd5-f4+ 75.Kh3-h2 Kg5-g4 76.Ra8a3 g6-g5 77.Ra3-a4 Bh4-f2 78.Ra4a3 Bf2-d4 79.Ra3-g3+ Kg4-h4 80.Rg3-f3 Bd4-g7 81.Rf3-f1 Bg7-e5 -3.21/19 ] 69...Bg3-e5 [ 69...Bg3-f2 and Black can already relax 70.Kh3-g2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 74.Rf8-b8 Bg5-f6 75.Rb8-b5 Bf6-e7 76.Rb5-d5 Be7-d6 77.Kg2-f3 Kh6-g5 78.Rd5-b5 Kg5-f6 79.Kf3-g2 g6-g5 80.Rb5-b6 g5-g4 -3.11/19 ] 70.Rd8-a8 [Houdini annotates: 70.Rd8-e8 Be5-f6 71.Re8-f8 Nh5-f4+ 72.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d5 73.Rf8-f7 Nd5-c3 74.Kg3-h3 Nc3-e4 75.Rf7-d7 Ne4-f2+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf2-g4 77.Rd7-d1 Bf6-e5+ 78.Kg3-f3 Kh6-h5 79.Rd1-d3 Be5-f6 80.Rd3-d1 Bf6xh4 81.Rd1-d5 Ng4-f6 82.Rd5-d8 Nf6-e4 83.Rd8-b8 Bh4-g3 84.Rb8-b5 Bg3-d6 85.Rb5-a5 Ne4-g5+ 86.Kf3-e3 Kh5-g4 87.Ra5-a1 Ng5-e4 88.Ke3-d4 g6-g5 89.Kd4-d5 Bd6-c5 90.Kd5-e5 Ne4-d2 91.Ra1-a2 Nd2-f3+ -3.04/19 ] 70...Be5-f6 [ 70...Nh5-f4+!? might be the shorter path 71.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d5+ 72.Kg3-f3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 70...Nh5-f6 71.Ra8-h8+ Kh6-g7 72.Rh8-a8 Nf6-e4 73.Ra8-a5 Be5-c3 74.Ra5-b5 Kg7-h6 75.Rb5-d5 Bc3-h8 76.Rd5-d7 Bh8-e5 77.Rd7-d5 Ne4-f2+ 78.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 79.Rd5-d3 Kh6-h5 80.Kg2-f3 Be5-f6 81.Rd3-d1 Bf6xh4 82.Rd1-d5 Ng4-f6 83.Rd5-b5 Nf6-e4 84.Rb5-b8 Bh4-g3 85.Rb8-b5 Kh5-h6 86.Kf3-e3 Bg3-h4 87.Ke3-d4 Kh6-h5 88.Kd4-e5 Kh5-g4 89.Rb5-b4 Bh4-f6+ 90.Ke5-d5 g6-g5 91.Kd5-e6 Bf6-c3 92.Rb4-a4 Bc3-g7 -2.98/22 ] 71.Ra8-a6 [Houdini annotates: 71.Ra8-a4 Bf6-c3 72.Ra4-c4 Bc3-e5 73.Kh3-g2 Nh5-f6 74.Rc4-c5 Be5-g3 75.Kg2-h3 Nf6-e4 76.Rc5-b5 Bg3-d6 77.Rb5-b7 Bd6-e5 78.Rb7-a7 Be5-d4 79.Ra7-e7 Bd4-h8 80.Re7-d7 Bh8-f6 81.Rd7-f7 Bf6-e5 82.Rf7-a7 Be5-d4 -2.82/19 ] 71...Kh6-g7 [ 71...Bf6-c3 makes it even easier for Black 72.Ra6-a8-+ ;Houdini annotates:

303 71...Nh5-f4+ 72.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d5 73.Kg3-h3 Bf6-c3 74.Ra6-a4 Nd5-f6 75.Ra4-a7 Nf6-e4 76.Ra7-e7 Bc3-d4 77.Re7-f7 Bd4-h8 78.Rf7-d7 Bh8-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 79.Rd7-a7 Be5-f6 80.Ra7-d7 Ne4-f2+ 79.Rd7-a7 Be5-f6 80.Ra7-d7 Ne4-f2+ 81.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 82.Kg2-g3 Kh6-h5 83.Rd7-h7+ Ng4-h6 84.Rh7-b7 Bf6xh4+ 85.Kg3-g2 Bh4-f6 86.Rb7b5 g6-g5 87.Rb5-b6 Bf6-e5 88.Rb6a6 Nh6-g4 89.Ra6-a8 f5-f4 90.Ra8-a7 Ng4-e3+ 91.Kg2-f2 g5-g4 92.Ra7a5 g4-g3+ -2.76/18 ] 72.Ra6-a7+ [ Houdini annotates: 72.Ra6-a7+ Kg7-f8 73.Ra7-b7 Bf6-e7 74.Rb7b1 Kf8-f7 75.Rb1-a1 Nh5-f4+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d3 77.Ra1-f1 Kf7-e6 78.Rf1-d1 Be7-d6+ 79.Kg3-g2 Nd3-e5 80.Kg2-g3 Bd6-c5 81.Rd1-e1 Ke6-f6 82.Re1-e2 Bc5-e7 83.Kg3-f4 Be7-d6 84.Re2-a2 Ne5-c6+ 85.Kf4-e3 Kf6-e5 86.Ra2-e2 Nc6-d4 -1.71/23 ] 72...Kg7-f8 [Houdini annotates: 72...Kg7-f8 73.Ra7-a4 Kf8-f7 74.Kh3-g2 Nh5-g7 75.Kg2-f3 Bf6-e7 76.Kf3-e2 Ng7-e6 77.Ke2-f3 Kf7-f6 78.Ra4-a5 Be7-b4 79.Ra5-a4 Bb4-e1 80.Kf3-e2 Be1-g3 81.Ke2-f3 Bg3-c7 82.Ra4-a1 Ne6-d4+ 83.Kf3-f2 Bc7-d6 84.Ra1-a6 Kf6-e5 85.Ra6-a5+ Ke5-e4 86.Ra5-a6 Ke4-d5 87.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-e6 88.Kf2-g2 Nd4-c6 89.Ra5-a6 Ke6-d5 90.Kg2-f3 f5-f4 91.Kf3-f2 Nc6-d4 92.Ra6-b6 Nd4-f5 -1.64/23 ] 73.Ra7-b7 [Houdini annotates: 73.Ra7-a4 Kf8-f7 74.Kh3-g2 Nh5-g7 75.Kg2-f3 Bf6-e7 76.Kf3-e2 Ng7-e6 77.Ke2-f3 Kf7-f6 78.Ra4-a5 Be7-b4 79.Ra5-a4 Bb4-e1 80.Kf3-e2 Be1-g3 81.Ke2-f3 Bg3-c7 82.Ra4-a1 Ne6-d4+ 83.Kf3-f2 Bc7-d6 84.Ra1-a6 Kf6-e5 85.Ra6-a5+ Ke5-e4 86.Ra5-a6 Ke4-d5 87.Ra6-a5+ Kd5-e6 88.Kf2-g2 Nd4-c6 89.Ra5-a6 Ke6-d5 90.Kg2-f3 Nc6-d4+ 91.Kf3-e3 f5-f4+ 92.Ke3-f2 Kd5-e5 -1.70/21 ] 73...Bf6-e7

304 [ Houdini annotates: 73...Bf6-e7 74.Rb7-b8+ Kf8-f7 75.Rb8-b1 Nh5-f4+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d3 77.Rb1-f1 Kf7-e6 78.Rf1-d1 Be7-d6+ 79.Kg3-g2 Nd3-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 80.Kg2-g3 Bd6-c5 81.Rd1-e1 Ke6-d5 82.Re1-e2 Ne5-c4 83.Kg3-f3 Bc5-f8 84.Re2-a2 Kd5-d4 85.Kf3-f4 Bf8-d6+ 86.Kf4-g5 -1.67/22 ] 74.Rb7-a7 [ Houdini annotates: 74.Rb7-b1 Kf8-f7 75.Rb1-a1 Nh5-f4+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf4-d3 77.Ra1-f1 Kf7-e6 78.Rf1-d1 Be7-d6+ 79.Kg3-g2 Nd3-e5 80.Kg2-g3 Bd6-c5 81.Rd1-e1 Ke6-d5 82.Re1-e2 Ne5-d3 83.Kg3-f3 Bc5-d4 84.Re2-a2 Nd3-e5+ 85.Kf3-f4 Ne5-d3+ 86.Kf4-g5 Nd3-e5 -1.70/20 ] 74...Kf8-f7 [Houdini annotates: 74...Kf8-f7 75.Ra7-a6 Nh5-f4+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf4-e6 77.Ra6-a5 Ne6-c5 78.Kg3-f4 Kf7-e6 79.Ra5-b5 Nc5-e4 80.Rb5-b6+ Ke6-f7 81.Rb6-b7 Ne4-c5 82.Rb7-a7 Kf7-e6 83.Ra7-a5 Nc5-d3+ 84.Kf4-e3 Nd3-b4 85.Ra5-a4 Ke6-d5 86.Ke3-f3 Nb4-c6 87.Kf3-e3 Kd5-e5 88.Ra4-c4 Ke5-d5 -1.64/22 ] 75.Ra7-a6 [Houdini annotates: 75.Kh3-g2 Nh5-g7 76.Ra7-a4 Ng7-e6 77.Kg2-f3 Kf7-f6 78.Ra4-a5 Be7-b4 79.Ra5-a1 Ne6-d4+ 80.Kf3-g2 Kf6-e5 81.Ra1-b1 Bb4-c5 82.Rb1-h1 Nd4-e6 83.Rh1-e1+ Ke5-f6 84.Re1-d1 Ne6-d4 85.Kg2-g3 Kf6-e5 86.Rd1-e1+ Ke5-d5 87.Re1-a1 Bc5-d6+ 88.Kg3-f2 f5-f4 89.Ra1-a6 Kd5-e5 90.h4-h5 g6xh5 91.Ra6-a5+ Ke5-e4 92.Ra5xh5 Nd4-f5 -1.70/20 ] 75...Nh5-f6 [ Houdini annotates: 75...Nh5-f4+ 76.Kh3-g3 Nf4-e6 77.Ra6-a1 Kf7-f6 78.Ra1-d1 Kf6-e5 79.Rd1-e1+ Ke5-d5 80.Re1-d1+ Ne6-d4 81.Rd1-a1 Be7-d8 82.Ra1-a8 Nd4-e6 83.Ra8-a6 Bd8-c7+ 84.Kg3-g2 Bc7-d6 85.Kg2-f3 Bd6-e7 86.Kf3-g3 Be7-d8 87.Ra6-a1 Bd8-f6 88.Ra1-d1+ Ne6-d4 89.Rd1-b1 Kd5-e5 90.Rb1-e1+ Ke5-d6 91.Re1-d1 Bf6-e5+ 92.Kg3-f2 Be5-f6

305 -1.64/19 ] 76.Kh3-g3 [ 76.Ra6-a5 Kf7-e6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 76.Ra6-a5 Nf6-e4 77.h4-h5 Be7-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 78.h5xg6+ Kf7xg6 79.Ra5-a4 Kg6-g5 78.h5xg6+ Kf7xg6 79.Ra5-a4 Kg6-g5 80.Kh3-g2 Kg5-g4 81.Ra4-c4 Bc5-e7 82.Rc4-c7 Be7-f6 83.Rc7-c4 Bf6-e5 84.Rc4-a4 Kg4-f4 85.Ra4-a7 Be5-f6 86.Ra7-a4 Bf6-e7 87.Ra4-a7 Be7-f6 88.Ra7-a4 -1.67/21 ] 76...Nf6-e4+ [ Houdini annotates: 76...Nf6-e4+ 77.Kg3-h3 Be7-c5 78.Ra6-a8 Kf7-g7 79.Ra8-d8 Bc5-b6 80.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h6 81.Rd7-d5 Bb6-c5 82.Rd5-d8 Bc5-e7 83.Rd8-h8+ Kh6-g7 84.Rh8-a8 Be7-f6 85.h4-h5 g6xh5 86.Ra8-a2 Bf6-d4 87.Kh3-g2 Kg7-g6 88.Ra2-a5 Kg6-g5 89.Ra5-a8 h5-h4 90.Ra8-g8+ Kg5-f4 91.Kg2-h3 Bd4-f6 92.Rg8-b8 Kf4-f3 93.Rb8-b3+ Kf3-e2 94.Kh3-g2 f5-f4 95.Rb3-f3 Bf6-e5 96.Rf3-a3 Be5-d6 97.Ra3-b3 -2.98/23 ] 77.Kg3-h3 [Houdini annotates: 77.Kg3-h3 Be7-c5 78.Ra6-a8 Kf7-g7 79.Ra8-d8 Bc5-b6 80.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h6 81.Kh3-g2 Bb6-f2 82.Kg2-h3 Bf2-c5 83.Rd7-d8 Bc5-e7 84.Rd8h8+ Kh6-g7 85.Rh8-a8 Be7-f6 86.h4-h5 g6xh5 87.Ra8-e8 Kg7-h6 88.Re8-a8 Kh6-g5 89.Ra8-a4 h5-h4 90.Ra4-a5 Ne4-f2+ 91.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 92.Kg2-h3 Kg5-f4 93.Ra5-d5 Kf4-e4 94.Rd5-a5 Nd3-f4+ 95.Kh3-h2 Nf4-d5 96.Ra5-a4+ Ke4-f3 97.Ra4a3+ Kf3-g4 -3.04/23 ] 77...Be7-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 77...Be7-c5 78.Ra6-a8 Kf7-g7 79.Ra8-d8 Bc5-b6 80.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h6 81.Kh3-g2 Bb6-f2 82.Kg2-h3 Bf2-c5 83.Rd7-d8 Bc5-e7 84.Rd8-h8+ Kh6-g7 85.Rh8-a8 Be7-f6 86.h4-h5 g6xh5 87.Ra8-a7+ Kg7-g6 88.Ra7-a4 h5-h4 89.Ra4-a5 Kg6-g5 90.Ra5-d5 Kg5-f4 91.Rd5-b5 Ne4-f2+ 92.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 93.Rb5-b6 Bf6-e5 94.Rb6-a6 Nd3-c5 95.Ra6-a8 -2.86/22

306 ] 78.Ra6-c6 [Houdini annotates: 78.Ra6-a8 Kf7-g7 79.Ra8-d8 Bc5-b6 80.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h6 81.Kh3-g2 Bb6-f2 82.Kg2-h3 Bf2-c5 83.Rd7-d8 Bc5-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 84.Rd8-h8+ Kh6-g7 85.Rh8-b8 Be7-f6 86.h4-h5 g6xh5 87.Rb8-b5 Kg7-g6 88.Kh3-g2 Kg6-g5 89.Kg2-h3 h5-h4 90.Rb5-d5 Kg5-f4 91.Rd5-b5 Ne4-f2+ 92.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 93.Rb5-b6 Bf6-d4 94.Rb6-d6 Kf4-e4 95.Kg2-h3 Bd4-e5 96.Rd6-h6 -2.92/19 ] 78...Bc5-d6 [ Houdini annotates: 78...Bc5-d6 79.Kh3-g2 Kf7-g7 80.Rc6-c8 Bd6-e5 81.Rc8-e8 Be5-f6 82.h4-h5 g6xh5 83.Kg2-h3 Kg7-h6 84.Re8-a8 h5-h4 85.Ra8-a5 Kh6-g5 86.Ra5-b5 Ne4-f2+ 87.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 88.Kg2-h3 Ng4-e5 89.Rb5-c5 f5-f4 90.Rc5-a5 Kg5-f5 91.Kh3-g2 Bf6-d8 92.Ra5-b5 -2.98/22 ] 79.Rc6-a6 [ 79.Rc6-c8 cannot change what is in store for White Bd6-e5-+ ; Houdini annotates: 79.Rc6-c8 Bd6-e5 80.Kh3-g2 Kf7-g7 81.Rc8-e8 Be5-f6 82.h4-h5 g6xh5 83.Re8-a8 Kg7-g6 84.Ra8-g8+ Kg6-h6 85.Rg8-a8 h5-h4 86.Ra8-a5 Kh6-g5 87.Kg2-h3 Ne4-f2+ 88.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 89.Ra5-a3 Nd3-e5 90.Kg2-h3 f5-f4 91.Ra3-a5 Kg5-f5 92.Ra5-a1 Ne5-d3 93.Ra1-a5+ Kf5-e4 94.Ra5-a6 Bf6-d8 95.Ra6-a4+ Ke4-f3 -3.02/18 ] 79...Kf7-g7 [Houdini annotates: 79...Kf7-g7 80.Ra6-a8 Bd6-e5 81.h4-h5 g6xh5 82.Ra8-e8 Be5-f6 83.Re8-b8 Kg7-g6 84.Rb8-g8+ Kg6-h6 85.Rg8-b8 h5-h4 86.Rb8-b5 Kh6-g5 87.Rb5-a5 Ne4-f2+ 88.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 89.Kg2-h3 Kg5-f4 90.Ra5-a6 Nd3-f2+ 91.Kh3-g2 Bf6-d4 92.Kg2-h2 h4-h3 93.Ra6-a5 Bd4-f6 -3.01/22 ] 80.Ra6-a8 [Houdini annotates: 80.Ra6-a8 Bd6-e5 81.h4-h5 g6xh5 82.Ra8-e8 Be5-f6 83.Re8-b8 Kg7-g6 84.Rb8-g8+ Kg6-h6 85.Rg8-a8 Kh6-g5 86.Ra8-g8+ Kg5-f4 87.Rg8-b8 h5-h4 88.Rb8-b4 Kf4-g5 89.Rb4-b5

307 Ne4-f2+ 90.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 91.Kg2-h3 Ng4-e5 92.Rb5-b2 f5-f4 93.Rb2-g2+ Kg5-f5 94.Rg2-f2 Ne5-d3 95.Rf2-f3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kf5-e4 -3.00/19 ] 80...Bd6-e5 Kf5-e4 -3.00/19 ] 80...Bd6-e5 [ Houdini annotates: 80...Bd6-e5 81.h4-h5 g6xh5 82.Ra8-e8 Be5-f6 83.Re8-b8 Kg7-g6 84.Rb8-g8+ Kg6-h6 85.Rg8-b8 h5-h4 86.Rb8-b5 Kh6-g5 87.Rb5-a5 Ne4-f2+ 88.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 89.Kg2-h3 Kg5-f4 90.Ra5-d5 Kf4-e4 91.Rd5-d6 Nd3-f4+ 92.Kh3-h2 Bf6-e5 93.Rd6-d7 Be5-d4 -3.00/22 ] 81.Ra8-a7+ [ 81.Ra8-a5 does not improve anything Be5-c3 82.Ra5-a8 Bc3-f6-+ ;Houdini annotates: 81.h4-h5 g6xh5 82.Ra8-e8 Be5-f6 83.Re8-b8 Kg7-g6 84.Rb8-g8+ Kg6-h6 85.Rg8-a8 Kh6-g5 86.Ra8-a5 h5-h4 87.Ra5-d5 Kg5-f4 88.Rd5-b5 Ne4-f2+ 89.Kh3-g2 Nf2-d3 90.Rb5-b6 Bf6-d4 91.Rb6-h6 Kf4-g5 92.Rh6-d6 Nd3-f4+ 93.Kg2-f3 -2.89/18 ] 81...Kg7-h6 [Houdini annotates: 81...Kg7-h6 82.Ra7-b7 Ne4-f2+ 83.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 84.Rb7-b1 Kh6-h5 85.Rb1-h1 Be5-h2 86.Rh1-b1 Kh5xh4 87.Rb1-b6 Kh4-h5 88.Rb6-e6 Bh2-e5 89.Kg2-f3 g6-g5 90.Re6-e8 f5-f4 91.Re8-e7 Be5-f6 92.Re7-e1 Ng4-e5+ 93.Kf3-e4 Kh5-g6 94.Re1-f1 Bf6-g7 95.Rf1-d1 f4-f3 96.Ke4-e3 g5-g4 97.Ke3-f4 Ne5-c4 -3.31/21 ] 82.Ra7-b7 [Houdini annotates: 82.Ra7-b7 Ne4-f2+ 83.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 84.Rb7-b3 Kh6-h5 85.Rb3-h3 Ng4-f6 86.Kg2-f3 Nf6-e4 87.Rh3-h1 Be5-g3 88.Rh1-a1 Bg3xh4 89.Ra1-a5 Bh4-e7 90.Ra5-a7 Be7-d6 91.Ra7-h7+ Kh5-g5 92.Rh7-f7 Kg5-h6 93.Kf3-e3 Kh6-h5 94.Ke3-d4 Kh5-g4 95.Rf7-h7 g6-g5 96.Rh7-h1 Bd6-f4 97.Kd4-d5 Kg4-f3 98.Rh1-a1 g5-g4 99.Ra1-f1+ Kf3-e3 100.Kd5-e6 Ne4-d6 -3.21/19 ] 82...Ne4-f6 [Houdini annotates: 82...Ne4-f2+ 83.Kh3-g2 Nf2-g4 84.Rb7-b1 Kh6-h5 85.Rb1-h1 Be5-h2

308 86.Rh1-b1 Kh5xh4 87.Rb1-b6 Kh4-g5 88.Kg2-f3 Bh2-c7 89.Rb6-b5 Bc7-d8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 90.Rb5-b1 Bd8-e7 91.Kf3-e2 Be7-f6 92.Rb1-g1 Kg5-f4 93.Rg1-e1 g6-g5 94.Re1-b1 Kf4-e4 95.Rb1-b4+ Bf6-d4 -3.27/20 ] 83.Rb7-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 83.Rb7-b1 Nf6-g4 84.Kh3-g2 Kh6-h5 85.Rb1-h1 Be5-h2 86.Rh1-b1 Kh5xh4 87.Rb1-b6 Kh4-g5 88.Kg2-f3 Bh2-c7 89.Rb6-b7 Bc7-e5 90.Rb7-b1 Be5-f6 91.Rb1-g1 Bf6-e7 92.Kf3-e2 Kg5-f4 93.Rg1-c1 Ng4-e5 94.Rc1-a1 g6-g5 95.Ra1-a4+ Kf4-g3 96.Ra4-a5 Ne5-f3 97.Ra5-a7 Be7-c5 98.Ra7-c7 Nf3-d4+ 99.Ke2-d3 -2.90/19 ] 83...Nf6-g4 [ Houdini annotates: 83...Nf6-g4 84.Re7-a7 Be5-f6 85.Kh3-g3 Kh6-h5 86.Kg3-f4 Bf6xh4 87.Ra7-a1 Ng4-h6 88.Ra1-h1 g6-g5+ 89.Kf4-f3 Nh6-g4 90.Kf3-e2 Ng4-e5 91.Ke2-e3 Kh5-g4 92.Rh1-a1 f5-f4+ 93.Ke3-e4 Ne5-c4 94.Ra1-a4 Nc4-e3 95.Ra4-b4 Bh4-f2 96.Rb4-b7 Ne3-f5 97.Rb7-b4 Bf2-c5 98.Rb4-a4 Bc5-f8 99.Ke4-e5 Bf8-g7+ 100.Ke5-e4 Nf5-g3+ 101.Ke4-d5 -3.44/20 ] 84.Re7-a7 [Houdini annotates : 84.Re7-b7 Be5-f6 85.Kh3-g3 Kh6-h5 86.Kg3-f4 Bf6xh4 87.Rb7-b1 Bh4-g5+ 88.Kf4-g3 Bg5-f6 89.Rb1-h1+ Kh5-g5 90.Rh1-g1 Ng4-e5 91.Kg3-h3+ Kg5-f4 92.Rg1-b1 Ne5-d3 93.Rb1-b6 Kf4-g5 94.Rb6-d6 Nd3-e5 95.Rd6-b6 f5-f4 96.Rb6-b5 Kg5-f5 97.Kh3-g2 f4-f3+ 98.Kg2-f2 Bf6-h4+ 99.Kf2-e3 Bh4-e7 100.Rb5-a5 Be7-f6 101.Ra5-a4 Bf6-g5+ 102.Ke3-f2 Bg5-e7 103.Kf2-f1 g6-g5 -3.49/20 ] 84...Be5-f6 [Houdini annotates: 84...Be5-f6 85.Kh3-g3 Kh6-h5 86.Ra7-a5 Bf6xh4+ 87.Kg3-f4 Bh4-f6 88.Ra5-a8 Bf6-g5+ 89.Kf4-g3 Ng4-e5 90.Ra8-a4 f5-f4+

309 91.Kg3-h3 f4-f3 92.Ra4-f4 Kh5-h6 93.Rf4-a4 Bg5-e7 94.Kh3-g3 Kh6-g5 95.Ra4-a7 Be7-d8 96.Ra7-a4 Bd8-b6 97.Ra4-e4 Kg5-f5 98.Re4-f4+ Kf5-e6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 99.Rf4-b4 Bb6-c5 -3.24/21 ] 85.Ra7-f7 99.Rf4-b4 Bb6-c5 -3.24/21 ] 85.Ra7-f7 [Houdini annotates: 85.Kh3-g3 Kh6-h5 86.Ra7-a5 Bf6xh4+ 87.Kg3-f4 Bh4-f6 88.Kf4-f3 Kh5-g5 89.Ra5-a4 Ng4-e5+ 90.Kf3-g3 Bf6-d8 91.Ra4-b4 Bd8-e7 92.Rb4-d4 Be7-f8 93.Rd4-a4 Bf8-c5 94.Kg3-g2 f5-f4 95.Ra4a5 f4-f3+ 96.Kg2-g3 f3-f2 97.Kg3-g2 Ne5-d3 98.Kg2-f1 Kg5-f4 99.Ra5a1 g6-g5 -3.15/18 ] 85...Kh6-h5 [ Houdini annotates: 85...Kh6-h5 86.Rf7-h7+ Ng4-h6 87.Kh3-g2 Bf6xh4 88.Rh7-a7 g6-g5 89.Ra7-a8 Kh5-g4 90.Ra8-a6 Nh6-f7 91.Ra6-a7 Nf7-d6 92.Ra7-a6 Bh4-g3 93.Kg2-f1 Nd6-e4 94.Ra6-a4 Bg3-e5 95.Kf1-g2 Kg4-f4 96.Ra4-a5 g5-g4 97.Ra5-a4 Be5-f6 98.Ra4-a5 Bf6-d4 99.Ra5-b5 Bd4-c5 100.Rb5-b1 Kf4-e5 101.Rb1-h1 Bc5-b6 102.Rh1-b1 Bb6-a7 103.Rb1-h1 -3.49/19 ] 0-1

33 Levon Aronian Viswanathan Anand 4th Bilbao Masters (9)

D39

10.10.2011

D24: Queen's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Ng1-f3 d7-d5 4.Nb1-c3 d5xc4 5.e2-e4 Bf8-b4 6.Bf1xc4 Nf6xe4 7.0-0 Ne4-f6 8.Qd1-a4+ Nb8-c6 Standard Book moves end here 9.Bc1-g5 White has a very active position [ 9.Nf3-e5 Ra8-b8 10.Bc4b5 0-0 11.Bb5xc6 b7xc6 12.Qa4xa7 Rb8-b6= ;Houdini annotates:

310 9.Bc4-b5 Bb4-d6 10.Bb5xc6+ b7xc6 11.Bc1-g5 0-0 12.Nc3-e4 Bd6-e7 13.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 14.b2-b3 Bf6-e7 15.Nf3-e5 Qd8-d5 16.Ne5xc6 Rf8-e8 17.Rf1-e1 Bc8-b7 18.Nc6xe7+

Chess Gangsta

32. Rg7+ “I will not hide the fact that I love to hear the spectators react after a sacrifice of a piece or pawn. I don't think that there is anything bad in such a feeling; no artist or musician is indifferent to the reactions of the public.” – Mikhail Tal

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8xe7 19.Ra1-c1 Qd5-f5 0.26/16 ] 9...Bb4-e7 [ 9...Bc8-d7 10.d4-d5 e6xd5 11.Nc3xd5 a7-a5+- ;Houdini 2. 0c : 9...Bb4xc3 10.b2xc3 0-0 11.Rf1-e1 h7-h6 12.Bg5-h4 a7-a6 13.Bc4-d3 Qd8-e7 14.Qa4-c2 Rf8-d8 15.a2-a4 b7-b6 16.Bh4-g3 Bc8-b7 17.h2-h3 Nf6-d5 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-tr-+k+0 9+lzp-wqpzp-0 190 9pzpn+p+-zp0 190 9+-+n+-+-0 9P+-zP-+-+0 9+-zPL+NvLP0 9-+Q+-zPP+0 9tR-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 18.Bd3-h7+ Kg8-h8 0.18/16 ] 10.Bg5xf6± [Houdini annotates: 10.d4-d5 e6xd5 11.Bg5xf6 Be7xf6 12.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 Be6-g4 18.Rd1-d3 Kf8-g8 19.Qa6xa7 Bg4xf3 20.Rd3xf3 h7-h5 21.Rf3-f5 Rh8-h6 22.Rf5xd5 Qd8xd5 23.Qa7xb8+ Kg8-h7 24.Qb8-b3 Qd5-f5 25.Qb3-b7 Rh6-e6 26.Re1xe6 Qf5xe6 0.30/16 ] 10...Be7xf6 [Houdini annotates: 10...Be7xf6 Diagram (Diagram 191) 11.d4-d5 e6xd5 12.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8

216

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqk+-tr0 191 9zppzp-+pzpp0 9-+n+pvl-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9Q+LzP-+-+0 9+-sN-+N+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Rb8-e8 23.Re1xe8+ Kf8xe8 24.Kg1-g2 Ke8-e7 25.a2-a4 c7-c6 26.Rd5-d4 Rg8-a8 27.Kg2-g3 0.42/19 ] 11.d4-d5 [Houdini annotates: 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 Be6-g4 18.Qa6xa7 Bg4xf3 19.g2xf3 g7-g6 20.Qa7-d4 Rh8-g8 21.Qd4xd5 Qd8xd5 22.Rd1xd5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 11.d4-d5 e6xd5 12.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 11.d4-d5 e6xd5 12.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 Be6-g4 18.Rd1-d3 Kf8-g8 19.Qa6xa7 Bg4xf3 20.Rd3xf3 h7-h5 21.Rf3-f5 Rh8-h6 22.Rf5xd5 Qd8xd5 23.Qa7xb8+ Kg8-h7 24.Qb8-b3 Qd5-f5 25.Qb3-b7 Rh6-e6 26.Re1xe6 Qf5xe6 0.30/18 ] 11...e6xd5 [ Houdini annotates: 11...e6xd5 12.Rf1-e1+ Bc8-e6 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 h7-h5 18.Nf3-d4 Rb8-b6 19.Qa6xa7 Rh8-h6 20.a2-a4 Kf8-g8 21.a4-a5 Rb6-b2 22.Rd1-b1 Rb2xb1 23.Re1xb1 Be6-c8 24.h2-h3 Rh6-g6 0.44/17 ] 12.Rf1-e1+ [Houdini annotates: 12.Ra1-e1+ Bc8-e6 13.Bc4xd5 0-0 14.Bd5xe6 Bf6xc3 15.b2xc3 f7xe6 16.Re1xe6 Qd8-d5 17.Rf1-e1 Ra8-d8 18.Qa4-c2 Qd5-c5 19.a2-a3 b7-b6 20.h2-h3 b6-b5 21.Qc2-e4 Rd8-d6 22.Re6-e8 0.42/16 ] 12...Bc8-e6 [Houdini annotates : 12...Bc8-e6 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3

217

Levon Aronian's Best Games 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 Be6-g4 18.Qa6xa7 Bg4xf3 19.g2xf3 g7-g6 20.Qa7-d4 Qd8-g5+ 21.Kg1-h1 Kf8-g8 22.a2-a4 Rb8-a8 23.a4-a5 c7-c6 24.Re1-e3 h7-h5 25.a5-a6 Kg8-h7 26.a6-a7 Qg5-f5 27.f3-f4 Qf5-d7 28.Rd1-a1 h5-h4 29.h2-h3 0.47/17 ] 13.Bc4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 13.Bc4-a6 b7xa6 14.Qa4xc6+ Ke8-f8 15.Ra1-d1 Bf6xc3 16.b2xc3 Ra8-b8 17.Qc6xa6 Be6-g4 18.Qa6xa7 Bg4xf3 19.g2xf3 g7-g6 20.Qa7-d4 Qd8-g5+ 21.Kg1-h1 Kf8-g8 22.a2-a4 c7-c6 23.Rd1-b1 Qg5-d8 24.Rb1xb8 Qd8xb8 25.Re1-e7 Qb8-f8 26.Re7-b7 0.44/16 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-wqktr0{ 9+R+-+p+p0 192 9-+p+-+p+0 192 9+-+p+-+-0 9P+-wQ-+-+0 9+-zP-+P+-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy ] 13...0-0 [Houdini annotates:

13...0-0 14.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 15.Re1xe6 Qd8-d7 16.Re6-e2 Kg8-h8 17.Ra1-d1 Qd7-f7 18.Re2-d2 Nc6-e5 19.Qa4-e4 Ne5xf3+ 20.Qe4xf3 Bf6xc3 21.Qf3xc3 Ra8-e8 22.Qc3-a5 a7-a6 23.f2-f3 Re8-e7 24.Rd2-d8 Rf8-e8 25.Qa5-b4

218 24.Ra5-a4 c7-c5 25.Ra4-a3 Rb8-b7 24.Ra5-a4 c7-c5 25.Ra4-a3 Rb8-b7 26.Nc3-d5 Rb7-f7 27.Nd5-e7+ Kg8-h8 28.Ra3xa7 Rf7xf2 29.Re2xf2 Rf8xf2 0.14/17 ] 14...f7xe6 [Houdini annotates: 14...f7xe6 15.Re1xe6 Qd8-d7 16.Re6-e2 Kg8-h8 17.Ra1-d1 Qd7-f7 18.Nc3-d5 Ra8-d8 19.Nd5xf6 Qf7xf6 20.Rd1xd8 Qf6xd8 21.Qa4-e4 Qd8-f6 22.Re2-d2 Rf8-d8 23.Rd2-d5 h7-h6 24.Rd5xd8+ Qf6xd8 25.a2-a3 Qd8-d6 26.h2-h3 Qd6-d1+ 27.Kg1-h2 Qd1-d6+ 28.g2-g3 0.27/16 ] 15.Ra1-d1 White threatens to win material: Rd1xd8 [ 15.Re1xe6 Qd8-d7 16.Re6-e3 Bf6xc3 17.b2xc3 Qd7-f7± ; Houdini annotates: 15.Re1xe6 Qd8-d7 16.Re6-e2 Ra8-d8 17.Qa4-b3+ Qd7-f7 18.Qb3xb7 Nc6-d4 19.Nf3xd4 Bf6xd4 20.Qb7-b3 Qf7xb3 21.a2xb3 Rd8-b8 22.Ra1-a3 Qf7xb3 21.a2xb3 Rd8-b8 22.Ra1-a3 Bd4-c5 23.Ra3-a5 Bc5-d4 24.Re2-d2 Bd4xc3 25.b2xc3 Rb8xb3 26.f2-f3 Rb3xc3 27.Ra5xa7 Rf8-b8 28.Kg1-f2 h7-h6 29.f3-f4 Kg8-h7 30.f4-f5 0.28/15 ] 15...Qd8-e8 Black has a cramped position [Houdini annotates: 15...Qd8-e7 16.Nc3-d5 Qe7-f7 17.Nd5xf6+ Qf7xf6 18.a2-a3 Ra8-d8 19.Rd1xd8 Nc6xd8 20.b2-b4 a7-a6 21.Qa4-c2 Nd8-c6 22.Qc2-c4 Rf8-e8 23.b4-b5 a6xb5 24.Qc4xb5 Re8-b8 25.Qb5-b3 Nc6-d8 26.Qb3-c4 0.03/17 b7-b6 0.30/18 ] 14.Bd5xe6 [ Houdini annotates: 14.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 15.Re1xe6 Qd8-d7 16.Re6-e2 Ra8-d8 17.Qa4-b3+ Qd7-f7 18.Qb3xb7 Nc6-d4 19.Nf3xd4 Bf6xd4 20.Qb7-b3 Qf7xb3 21.a2xb3 Rd8-b8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 22.Ra1-a3 Bd4-c5 23.Ra3-a5 Bc5-d4

219 ] 16.Nc3-e4 [Houdini annotates: ] 16.Nc3-e4 [Houdini annotates: 16.Kg1-h1 Qe8-f7 17.Qa4-b5 Ra8-b8 18.Nc3-e4 a7-a6 19.Qb5-b3 e6-e5 20.Qb3-c2 Nc6-b4 21.Qc2-c5 Nb4-c6 22.a2-a3 Rb8-d8 23.Kh1-g1 0.01/15 ] 16...Qe8-e7 [Houdini annotates: 16...Qe8-e7 17.a2-a3 h7-h6 18.b2-b4 Ra8-d8 19.Rd1xd8 Rf8xd8 20.Qa4-b5 Bf6-b2 21.Qb5xb7 Nc6-d4 22.Nf3xd4 Bb2xd4 23.h2-h3 Qe7-f7 24.Re1-d1 Qf7-f4 25.Kg1-h1 Qf4-f7 26.Ne4-c5 e6-e5 27.Qb7xa7 Qf7xf2 28.Qa7xc7 0.15/16 ] 17.Qa4-b3 [Houdini annotates

Levon Aronian's Best Games x64: 17.Qa4-c4 Ra8-d8 18.Rd1xd8 Nc6xd8 19.b2-b4 Qe7-d7 20.a2-a3 a7-a6 21.Qc4-c2 Qd7-c6 22.Qc2-e2 Bf6-e7 23.Nf3-e5 Qc6-d5 24.Qe2-h5 Nd8-f7 0.04/15 ] 17...Ra8-b8 [ 17...Ra8-d8 18.Qb3xb7 Nc6-d4 19.Nf3xd4 Bf6xd4 20.g2-g3² ; Houdini annotates: 17...Ra8-d8 18.h2-h3 Rd8xd1 19.Re1xd1 b7-b6 20.Ne4xf6+ Qe7xf6 21.Rd1-d7 Rf8-f7 22.Rd7xf7 Qf6xf7 23.Nf3-g5 Nc6-d4 24.Qb3-a4 Qf7-e7 25.Qa4xd4 Qe7xg5 26.Qd4-d7 Qg5-c1+ 27.Kg1-h2 Qc1-f4+ 28.Kh2-g1 h7-h6 29.Qd7xe6+ Kg8-h7 30.Qe6-c6 Qf4-e5 31.Qc6-c2+ g7-g6 32.Qc2-d2 Qe5-f5 0.04/16 ] 18.Ne4xf6+ [Houdini annotates: 18.Rd1-d2 Kg8-h8 19.Ne4xf6 Rf8xf6 20.Re1-d1 Qe7-c5 21.a2-a3 Rf6-g6 22.h2-h3 Rb8-f8 23.Rd2-d7 Nc6-a5 24.Qb3-d3 Na5-c4 25.b2-b4 Qc5-c6 0.25/14 ] 18...Rf8xf6 [Houdini annotates : 18...Rf8xf6 19.Nf3-g5 Kg8-h8 20.Re1-e3 e6-e5 21.Re3-h3 h7-h6 22.Qb3-d3 e5-e4 23.Qd3xe4 Qe7xe4 24.Ng5xe4 Rf6-e6 25.Rh3-e3 Rb8-e8 26.f2-f3 Kh8-h7 27.b2-b3 b7-b6 28.Kg1-f2 Nc6-e5 29.Re3-e2 Re8-f8 30.Kf2-g1 Rf8-e8 31.Rd1-c1 0.20/16 ] 19.Nf3-g5 The pressure on the isolated pawn grows [Houdini annotates: 19.a2-a3 Kg8-h8 20.Re1-e4 Rf6-g6 21.h2-h3 Rb8-d8 22.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 23.Nf3-e5 Rg6-g5 24.Qb3-e3 c7-c5 25.Re4-c4 b7-b6 26.f2-f4 Rg5-f5 27.Qe3-d3 0.19/16 Diagram (Diagram 193)

220

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-sn-+-mk0{ 9zp-+-wq-zpp0 193 9zp-+-wq-zpp0 193 9-zp-+p+-+0 9+-zp-sNr+-0 9-+R+-zP-+0 9zP-+Q+-+P0 9-zP-+-+P+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy ] 19...Qe7-b4 [Houdini annotates: 19...Kg8-h8 20.Re1-e3 e6-e5 21.Re3-h3 h7-h6 22.Qb3-d3 e5-e4 23.Qd3xe4 Qe7xe4 24.Ng5xe4 Rf6-e6 25.Rh3-e3 Rb8-e8 26.f2-f3 Kh8-h7 27.b2-b3 b7-b6 28.Kg1-f2 Nc6-e5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.Re3-e2 Re8-f8 30.Kf2-g1 Rf8-e8 29.Re3-e2 Re8-f8 30.Kf2-g1 Rf8-e8 31.Rd1-c1 0.20/16 ] 20.Qb3-c2 [ Houdini annotates: 20.Qb3xb4 Nc6xb4 21.a2-a3 Nb4-d5 22.Rd1-d2 c7-c6 23.Ng5xe6 Rb8-e8 24.Rd2-e2 Rf6-f7 25.f2-f3 Rf7-e7 26.Kg1-f2 Kg8-f7 27.Ne6-g5+ Kf7-g6 28.Ng5-e4 Re7-d7 29.g2-g3 Nd5-f6 30.Ne4-c5 0.21/17 ] 20...Rf6-g6 [Houdini annotates : 20...g7-g6 21.Re1-e4 Qb4-e7 22.Rd1-e1 e6-e5 23.f2-f4 Rf6-f5 24.Qc2-c4+ Kg8-h8 25.Ng5-f3 Rb8-d8 26.g2-g4 Qe7-g7 27.Nf3-g5 Rf5-f8 28.Ng5-e6 Nc6-a5 29.Qc4-c5 0.23/16 ] 21.Re1-e4 White threatens to win material: Re4xb4 [ 21.Ng5xe6?? the pawn is safe and cannot be captured without dire consequences Rb8-e8-+ ;Houdini annotates: 21.Re1-e4 Qb4-e7 22.h2-h4 Rb8-d8 23.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 24.Re4-c4 c7-c6 25.Ng5xh7 Rg6-h6 26.Nh7-g5 Nd8-f7 27.Ng5xf7 Qe7xf7 28.g2-g3 Qf7-f5 29.Qc2xf5 e6xf5 30.Rc4-f4 Rh6-f6 31.Rf4-d4 c6-c5 32.Rd4-d8+ Kg8-h7 33.Rd8-d7 0.64/16 ] 21...Qb4-a5? [ ¹21...Qb4-e7!? is the best option Black has 22.h2-h4 Rb8-d8 23.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8± ;Houdini 2.0c : 21...Qb4-e7 22.h2-h4

221

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rb8-d8 23.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 24.Re4-c4 c7-c6 25.Ng5xh7 Rg6-h6 26.Nh7-g5 Nd8-f7 27.Ng5xf7 Qe7xf7 28.Rc4-d4 Qf7-f5 29.Qc2xf5 e6xf5 30.g2-g3 c6-c5 31.Rd4-d8+ Kg8-h7 32.Rd8-d7 Rh6-b6 33.b2-b3 Rb6-a6 34.a2-a4 Ra6-b6 0.32/16 ] 22.h2-h4+[Houdini annotates: 22.h2-h4 Rb8-e8 23.Qc2-d3 Qa5-c5 24.b2-b4 Qc5-f5 25.Re4xe6 Re8-f8 26.Qd3xf5 Rf8xf5 27.Re6xg6 h7xg6 28.Rd1-d7 Nc6xb4 29.Rd7xc7 Nb4xa2 30.Rc7xb7 a7-a5 31.Ng5-e6 Rf5-f6 32.Rb7-b8+ Kg8-f7 33.Ne6-g5+ Kf7-e7 34.Rb8-a8 Na2-c3 35.Ra8-a7+ Ke7-e8 36.Ra7xa5 Rf6-d6 37.g2-g3 Rd6-d2 38.Ra5-a6 Ke8-e7 39.Ra6-e6+ Ke7-d7 40.Re6xg6 1.15/17 ] 22...Rb8-e8 Diagram [ 22...Rg6-f6 A) 23.Re4xe6?! Qa5-f5 24.Rd1-d3 Rb8-f8 ( 24...Rf6xe6? looks very interesting, but 25.Rd3-d8+ Rb8xd8 26.Qc2xf5+- ) 25.Re6xf6 Rf8xf6± ; B) 23.Ng5xh7 Rf6-f5 24.Nh7-g5+- ;Houdini annotates: 22...Qa5-f5 23.g2-g4 Rg6xg5 24.h4xg5 Qf5-f7 25.Qc2-b3 Rb8-d8 26.Rd1xd8+ Nc6xd8 27.Qb3-b4 Qf7-e8 28.Kg1-g2 Qe8-d7 29.Re4-f4 Qd7-d6 30.Qb4xd6 c7xd6 31.Rf4-d4 d6-d5 32.Kg2-f3 Nd8-c6 1.31/14 ] (Diagram 194) 23.Rd1-d7 [Houdini annotates: 23.Qc2-d3 Qa5-c5 24.b2-b4 Qc5-f5 25.Re4xe6 Re8-f8 26.Qd3xf5 Rf8xf5 27.Re6xg6 h7xg6 28.Rd1-d7 Nc6xb4 29.Rd7xc7 Nb4xa2 30.Rc7xb7 a7-a5 31.Ng5-e6 Rf5-f6 32.Rb7-b8+ Kg8-f7 33.Ne6-g5+ Kf7-e7 34.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-e8 35.Rb7-a7 Na2-c3 36.Ra7xa5

222 Rf6-d6 37.g2-g3 Rd6-d2 38.Ra5-a6 Ke8-e7 39.Ra6-e6+ Ke7-d7 40.Re6xg6 1.15/15 ] 23...h7-h6

223

Levon Aronian's Best Games

29.Rf3-f7+ Ke7-d8 30.Rf7xd7+ Kd8xd7 31.Qh7xg7+ Re8-e7 32.Qg7xh6+- ) 26.Rd7xc7 h6xg5² ; Houdini annotates: 24...Qa5-b5 25.a2-a4 Nc6xb4 26.a4xb5 Nb4xc2194 27.Ng5-f3 e6-e5 28.Rd7xc7 Nc2-a3 29.Rc7xb7 Rg6-b6 30.Rb7xa7 Na3xb5 31.Ra7-a1 Nb5-c3 32.Re4xe5

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9zppzp-+-zpp0 9-+n+p+r+0 9wq-+-+-sN-0 9-+-+R+-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0

9PzPQ+zPP+0 9+-+R+-mK0[ xiiiiiiii y [ Houdini annotates: 23...a7-a6 24.a2-a3 Rg6-h6 25.Qc2-e2 Qa5-f5 26.Rd7xc7 Rh6-f6 27.Rc7xb7 h7-h6 28.Ng5-f3 Re8-c8 29.Rb7-b6 Nc6-d8 30.Re4-d4 e6-e5 31.Rb6xf6 g7xf6 32.Rd4-d1 Qf5-e6 33.Qe2-e4 Kg8-g7 34.h4-h5 Nd8-f7 35.Qe4-g6+ Kg7-h8 1.15/15 ] 24.b2-b4 [ ¹24.Re4-e2!? Rg6xg5 25.h4xg5 Qa5xg5 26.Qc2b3 Qg5-c1+ 27.Rd7-d1+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 24.Re4-e3 Nc6-e7 25.Ng5xe6 Ne7-f5 26.Ne6-f4 Re8xe3 27.Nf4xg6 Re3-e8 28.Qc2-c4+ Kg8-h7 29.Qc4-f7 Re8-g8 30.b2-b4 Qa5-b5 31.Rd7xc7 Qb5-e8 32.Qf7xf5 Qe8xg6 33.Qf5xg6+ Kh7xg6 34.Rc7xb7 Rg8-a8 35.Rb7-d7 1.91/12 ] 24...Qa5-f5?? another bit of territory lost [ ¹24...Qa5-b5 25.Re4-e3 Nc6e5 ( 25...Nc6xb4?? the pawn must remain untouched 26.Qc2xg6 Qb5xd7 27.Qg6-h7+ Kg8-f8 28.Re3-f3+ Kf8-e7

224

Levon Aronian's Best Games Re8-d8 33.Ra1-c1 Nc3-d5 34.Rc1-d1 Rb6-d6 35.h4-h5 Nd5-f6 36.Rd1xd6 Rd8xd6 37.Re5-c5 0.51/16 ] 25.Re4xe6+- Diagram [ 25.Re4xe6 Qf5xe6 26.Ng5xe6 Re8xe6 27.Rd7xc7+- ;Houdini annotates: 25.Re4xe6 Qf5xe6 26.Ng5xe6 Rg6xe6 27.b4-b5 Nc6-e5 28.Rd7xc7 Re6-e7 29.Qc2-c5 Re7xc7 30.Qc5xc7 b7-b6 31.Qc7xa7 Re8-e6 32.Qa7-c7 h6-h5 33.Qc7-b7 g7-g6 34.f2-f3 Kg8-f8 35.Qb7-c7 Kf8-e8 36.a2-a4 Ne5-d3 4.03/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0{ 9zppzpR+-zp-0 195 9-+n+R+rzp0 195 9+-+-+qsN-0 9-zP-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+Q+-zPP+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 1-0

34

D37

Anish Giri Levon Aronian Tata Steel Wijk aan Zee NED 2(150.0)1.2012 D37: Queen's Gambit Declined: 5 Bf4 1.d2-d4 d7-d5 2.c2-c4 e7-e6 3.Nb1-c3 Bf8-e7 4.Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6

14.0-0 f5-f4 15.e3xf4 Nd5xf4 14.0-0 f5-f4 15.e3xf4 Nd5xf4 16.Nd2-f3 Qd8-d5 17.Ra1-c1 c7-c6 18.Qd1-c2 0.34/16 ] 8...Nd7-b6 [ Houdini annotates: 8...Nf6-h5 9.Bf4-e5 f7-f6 10.Be5-g3 Nh5xg3 11.h2xg3 c7-c5 12.Be2xc4 Nd7-b6 13.Qd1-b3 Nb6xc4 14.Qb3xc4 Qd8-b6 15.d4xc5 Qb6xc5 16.Qc4xc5 Be7xc5 17.Rf1-d1 Bc5-e7 18.Ra1-c1 Rf8-d8 19.Rd1xd8+ Be7xd8 20.Rc1-d1 Bd8-e7 21.g3-g4 Kg8-f7 0.02/15 ] 9.Qd1-c2 [Houdini annotates: 9.Nf3-d2 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0{ 9zppzp-vlpzpp0 196 9zppzp-vlpzpp0 196 9-sn-+psn-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+pzP-vL-+0 9+-sN-zP-+-0 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 5.Bc1-f4 0-0 6.e2-e3 Nb8-d7 7.Bf1-e2 d5xc4 Standard Book moves end here 8.0-0 [Houdini annotates: 8.Be2xc4 a7-a6 9.a2-a4 Nd7-b6 10.Bc4-d3 Nb6-d5 11.Nc3xd5 Nf6xd5 12.Bf4-g3 Be7-b4+ 13.Nf3-d2 f7-f5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Be7-d6 10.Bf4xd6 c7xd6 11.Nd2xc4 Be7-d6 10.Bf4xd6 c7xd6 11.Nd2xc4 Nb6xc4 12.Be2xc4 Bc8-d7 13.Ra1-c1 Ra8-c8 14.Bc4-d3 Bd7-c6 15.f2-f3 a7-a6 16.Qd1-e2 Qd8-c7 17.Bd3-c2 h7-h6 0.14/15 ] 9...Nf6-h5 [Houdini 2. 0c : 9...Nf6-d5 10.Bf4-g3 h7-h5 11.h2-h3 h5-h4 12.Bg3-h2 Bc8-d7 13.Nf3-e5 Be7-d6 14.Nc3-e4 Bd6xe5 15.Bh2xe5 f7-f6 16.Be5-h2 Nd5-b4 17.Qc2-c3 Bd7-c6 18.Qc3xb4 Bc6xe4 19.Be2xc4 Nb6xc4 20.Qb4xc4 0.03/17 ] 10.Bf4-e5 [ Houdini annotates: 10.Bf4-g3 Nh5xg3 11.h2xg3 Bc8-d7 12.Nf3-e5 Be7-d6 13.Ne5xc4 Nb6xc4 14.Be2xc4 Qd8-e7 15.Ra1-d1 a7-a6 16.Nc3-e4 Ra8-c8 17.Bc4-d3 f7-f5 18.Ne4-c5

225

226

Levon Aronian's Best Games Bd6xc5 19.d4xc5 Rc8-d8 20.g3-g4 Bd7-b5 21.Bd3xb5 a6xb5 22.Rd1xd8 Qe7xd8 0.08/17 ] 10...f7-f6 Prevents intrusion on g5 [Houdini annotates: 10...f7-f6 11.Be5-g3 Nh5xg3 12.h2xg3 Bc8-d7 13.Nf3-d2 c7-c5 14.d4xc5 Be7xc5 15.Nd2xc4 Qd8-c7 16.Rf1-d1 Rf8-d8 17.Nc4xb6 a7xb6 18.Be2-f3 Bd7-c6 19.Bf3xc6 b7xc6 20.Qc2-e4 e6-e5 21.a2-a4 g7-g6 22.Ra1-c1 f6-f5 0.30/16 ] 11.Nf3-g5 [Houdini 2. 0c : 11.Be5-g3 Nh5xg3 12.h2xg3 Bc8-d7 13.Nf3-d2 c7-c5 14.d4xc5 Be7xc5 15.Nd2xc4 Qd8-c7 16.Rf1-d1 Rf8-d8 17.Nc4xb6 a7xb6 18.Be2-f3 Bd7-c6 19.Bf3xc6 b7xc6 20.Qc2-e4 e6-e5 21.a2-a4 g7-g6 22.Ra1-c1 f6-f5 0.05/17 ] 11...f6xg5 [ Houdini annotates: 11...f6xg5 12.Be2xh5 Be7-d6 13.Ra1-d1 Qd8-e7 14.Be5xd6 c7xd6 15.Bh5-f3 d6-d5 16.e3-e4 Bc8-d7 17.Rf1-e1 Rf8xf3 18.g2xf3 Qe7-f7 19.e4xd5 Nb6xd5 20.Nc3xd5 e6xd5 21.Re1-e3 Ra8-f8 22.Rd1-e1 Bd7-c6 23.Qc2-c3 Qf7-f4 24.b2-b3 Qf4-f7 25.Re3-e5 Qf7xf3 26.Qc3xf3 Rf8xf3 27.b3xc4 d5xc4 28.Re5xg5 0.05/17 ] 12.Be2xh5 [ Houdini annotates: 12.Be2xh5 Be7-d6 13.Ra1-d1 Qd8-e7 14.Be5xd6 c7xd6 15.Bh5-f3 d6-d5 16.e3-e4 Bc8-d7 17.Rf1-e1 g5-g4 18.Bf3xg4 Qe7-g5 19.Qc2-e2 Ra8-e8 20.Bg4-f3 Nb6-a4 21.Rd1-b1 Na4xc3 22.b2xc3 b7-b6 0.09/16 ] 12...Bc8-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 12...Be7-d6 13.Be5-g3 Bc8-d7 14.Bh5-f3 Ra8-b8 15.b2-b3 Bd6xg3 16.f2xg3 Qd8-e7 17.Bf3-e4 g7-g6 18.Rf1xf8+ Qe7xf8 19.Ra1-f1 Qf8-b4 20.g3-g4 a7-a6

Nb6-d5 21.Qc2-c4 Diagram Nb6-d5 21.Qc2-c4 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-trk+0{ 9zppzp-wq-zpp0 197 9zppzp-wq-zpp0 197 9-+l+p+-+0 9+-+nzP-zp-0 9-+Q+-+-+0 9+P+-zPP+-0 9-+-sN-zP-zP0 9+-+R+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Nd5-b4 0.23/15 ] 13...Rf8xf3 [ Houdini annotates: 13...Rf8xf3 14.g2xf3 Bd7-c6 15.e3-e4 Be7-d6 0.07/15 ] 13.Bh5-f3 [Houdini annotates: 13.Ra1-d1 Be7-d6 14.Bh5f3 Rf8xf3 15.g2xf3 Bd7-c6 16.Nc3-e4 Qd8-e7 17.b2-b3 Bd6xe5 18.d4xe5 Ra8-f8 19.Ne4-d2 c4xb3 20.a2xb3

Levon Aronian's Best Games 16.Be5xd6 Qd8xd6 17.Qc2-d2 h7-h6 16.Be5xd6 Qd8xd6 17.Qc2-d2 h7-h6 18.Ra1-d1 Ra8-f8 19.d4-d5 e6xd5 20.e4xd5 Bc6-d7 21.Nc3-e4 Qd6-g6 22.Ne4-c5 Rf8xf3 23.Nc5xd7 Nb6xd7 24.Qd2-b4 Qg6-b6 25.Qb4xc4 Nd7-e5 26.Qc4-d4 Qb6xd4 27.Rd1xd4 Ne5-d3 -0.06/18 ] 14.g2xf3 [ Houdini annotates: 14.g2xf3 Bd7-c6 15.Qc2-e2 Be7-d6 16.Be5xd6 c7xd6 17.Kg1-g2 Qd8-e7 18.e3-e4 Ra8-f8 19.Qe2-e3 Bc6-e8 20.Rf1-g1 Be8-h5 21.Kg2-f1 h7-h6 22.Rg1-g3 Bh5-e8 23.b2-b3 -0.05/15 ] 14...Be7-d6 [ 14...Bd7-c6 15.Qc2-e2= ;Houdini annotates: 14...Bd7-c6 15.e3-e4 Be7-d6 16.Be5xd6 Qd8xd6 17.Qc2-d2 h7-h6 18.Ra1-d1 Ra8-f8 19.Qd2-e3 Qd6-b4 20.Rd1-d2 Nb6-a4 21.d4-d5 e6xd5 22.e4xd5 Bc6-d7 23.a2-a3 -0.05/16 ] 15.Qc2-e4 White threatens to win material: Qe4xb7 [Houdini annotates: 15.Nc3-e4 Qd8-e7 16.Be5xd6 c7xd6 17.a2-a4 Ra8c8 18.Kg1-g2 Nb6-d5 19.Qc2-d2 b7-b6 20.Rf1g1 e6-e5 21.a4-a5 Rc8-f8 22.a5xb6

227

Levon Aronian's Best Games a7xb6 23.Ra1-a7 0.23/14 ] 15...Bd7-c6 Black threatens to win material: Bc6xe4 [Houdini annotates: 15...Bd7-c6 16.Qe4-g4 Qd8-e7 17.Be5xd6 c7xd6 18.b2-b3 h7-h6 19.Nc3-e4 e6-e5 20.d4xe5 d6-d5 21.Ne4-g3 Qe7xe5 22.Ng3-e2 Bc6-d7 23.Qg4-g3 Qe5-f6 24.Ne2-d4 Ra8-c8 25.Ra1-c1 Bd7-f5 26.Nd4xf5 Qf6xf5 27.b3xc4 d5xc4 28.Qg3-g4 Qf5-e5 29.Rf1-d1 c4-c3 30.Qg4-b4 Kg8-h7 31.Rc1-c2 Rc8-c4 32.Qb4-d6 0.08/17 ] 16.Qe4-g4 [Houdini annotates: 16.Qe4-g4 Qd8-e7 17.Be5xd6 c7xd6 18.b2-b3 h7-h6 19.Qg4-g3 d6-d5 20.f3-f4 g5xf4 21.Qg3xf4 Ra8-f8 22.Qf4-g3 Nb6-c8 23.Kg1-h1 Nc8-d6 24.Rf1-g1 g7-g5 25.Ra1-c1 a7-a6 26.f2-f3 0.11/18 ] 16...Qd8-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 16...Qd8-d7 17.Nc3-e4 h7-h6 18.Be5xd6 c7xd6 19.Rf1-c1 Ra8-c8 20.h2-h4 Bc6xe4 21.f3xe4 g5xh4 22.Qg4xh4 Qd7-f7 23.Qh4-g4 d6-d5 24.Rc1-c2 h6-h5 25.Qg4-g2 h5-h4 26.f2-f4 Nb6-d7 27.e4xd5 e6xd5 0.22/16 ] 17.Be5xd6 [ Houdini annotates: 17.Be5-g3 h7-h6 18.f3-f4 g5xf4 19.Bg3xf4 Ra8-f8 20.Bf4xd6 c7xd6 21.e3-e4 Qe7-f6 22.Ra1-d1 Nb6-a4 23.Nc3xa4 Bc6xa4 24.Rd1-c1 b7-b5 25.Rc1-c3 h6-h5 26.Qg4xh5 Qf6xd4 0.11/15 ] 17...c7xd6 [Instead of 17...Qe7xd6 18.Nc3-e4 Bc6xe4 19.f3xe4± ( ‹19.Qg4xe4 Nb6-d5² );Houdini 2.0c : 17...c7xd6 18.b2-b3 h7-h6 19.Nc3-e4 e6-e5 20.d4xe5 d6-d5 21.Ne4-g3 Qe7xe5 22.Ng3-e2 Bc6-d7 23.Qg4-g3 Qe5-f6 24.Ne2-d4 Ra8-c8 25.Rf1-d1 Bd7-f5 26.b3xc4 d5xc4 27.e3-e4 Bf5-d7 28.e4-e5 Qf6-e7 29.f3-f4 c4-c3 30.Ra1-c1 Nb6-d5

228 31.f4xg5 h6xg5 0.05/16 ] 18.Nc3-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 18.b2-b3 h7-h6 19.Qg4-g3 d6-d5 20.f3-f4 g5xf4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 21.Qg3xf4 Ra8-f8 22.Qf4-g3 Nb6-c8 21.Qg3xf4 Ra8-f8 22.Qf4-g3 Nb6-c8 23.Kg1-h1 Nc8-d6 24.Rf1-g1 g7-g5 25.Ra1-c1 a7-a6 26.Kh1-g2 0.12/16 ] 18...h7-h6 [Houdini annotates: 18...h7-h6 19.b2-b3 e6-e5 20.d4xe5 d6-d5 21.Ne4-g3 Qe7xe5 22.Ng3-e2 Bc6-d7 23.Qg4-g3 Qe5-f6 24.Ne2-d4 Ra8-c8 25.Ra1-c1 Bd7-f5 26.Nd4xf5 Qf6xf5 27.Qg3-g4 Qf5-e5 28.b3xc4 d5xc4 29.Rf1-d1 c4-c3 30.Qg4-b4 Kg8-h7 31.Rc1-c2 Rc8-c4 32.Qb4-d6 0.07/16 ] 19.Qg4-g3 White threatens to win material: Qg3xd6 [Houdini annotates: 19.Ra1-c1 Nb6-d7 20.b2-b3 c4xb3 21.a2xb3 Ra8-f8 22.Rc1-a1 a7-a6 23.Rf1-c1 e6-e5 24.Rc1-e1 Bc6-d5 25.Ra1-a3 Bd5-e6 26.Qg4-h5 Nd7-f6 0.05/14 ] 19...d6-d5 Black threatens to win material: d5xe4 [Houdini annotates: 19...Ra8-d8 20.Rf1-c1 Bc6xe4 21.f3xe4 Rd8-f8 22.Rc1-c2 d6-d5 23.Ra1-c1 Qe7-f7 24.e4xd5 e6xd5 25.h2-h3 Qf7-e7 26.Qg3-e5 Qe7-d7 27.Qe5-g3 Nb6-a4 28.Qg3-e5 Rf8-e8 0.13/16 ] 20.Ne4-c3 [ 20.Ne4-c5 Nb6-a4 21.Nc5xa4 Bc6xa4² ;Houdini annotates: 20.Ne4-c5 Nb6-a4 21.Nc5xa4 Bc6xa4 22.b2-b3 Ba4-b5 23.Rf1-d1 Ra8-f8 24.Ra1-c1 Qe7-f7 25.a2-a4 Bb5-a6 26.b3-b4 b7-b5 27.a4xb5 Ba6xb5 28.Qg3-g4 Qf7xf3 29.Qg4xe6+ Kg8-h7 30.Rd1-d2 g5-g4 31.Qe6-e5 -0.03/16 ] 20...Ra8-f8= [Houdini annotates : 20...Nb6-a4 21.Nc3xa4 Bc6xa4 22.b2-b3 Ba4-b5 23.a2-a4 Bb5-a6 24.b3xc4 Ba6xc4 25.Rf1-c1 Ra8-f8 26.a4-a5 Rf8-c8 27.f3-f4 g5xf4 28.Qg3xf4 Rc8-f8 29.Qf4-e5 Qe7-f7 30.f2-f4 Qf7-g6+ 31.Kg1-h1

229 0.02/15 ] 21.Nc3-e2 [Houdini annotates: 21.Ra1-e1 Qe7-f7 22.Kg1g2 Nb6-d7 23.h2-h3 e6-e5 24.Rf1-g1 a7-a6 25.Re1-e2 Qf7-f6 26.Qg3-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qf6-d6 27.Rg1-d1 Qd6-f6 28.Rd1-c1 e5xd4 29.e3xd4 0.01/15 ] 21...Rf8-f5 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Bc6-b5 22.Rf1-c1 Bb5-e8 23.f3-f4 Be8-h5 24.f2-f3 Qe7-b4 25.b2-b3 c4xb3 26.a2xb3 Qb4xb3 27.Ne2-c3 Rf8-c8 28.Nc3-d1 Rc8xc1 29.Ra1xc1 Nb6-c4 30.f4xg5 h6xg5 -0.09/15 ] 22.Kg1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 22.Qg3-g4 Nb6-d7 23.Ra1-d1 Qe7-f7 24.Rd1-c1 Nd7-f6 25.Qg4-h3 Nf6-d7 26.Kg1-g2 Nd7-f8 27.f3-f4 g5xf4 28.Ne2xf4 Nf8-g6 29.Nf4xg6 Rf5-g5+ 30.Kg2-h1 Rg5xg6 0.00/14 ] 22...Nb6-d7 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 22...Bc6-e8 23.Qg3-b8 Rf5-f8 24.Qb8xa7 Be8-h5 25.Ne2-g1 Nb6-c8 26.Qa7-a3 Qe7-f7 27.Qa3-c5 b7-b6 28.Qc5-c6 Kg8-h7 29.Kg2-h1 Bh5xf3+ 30.Ng1xf3 Qf7xf3+ 31.Kh1-g1 Qf3-g4+ 32.Kg1-h1 Qg4-e4+ 33.Kh1-g1 g5-g4 -0.28/16 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9zpp+nwq-zp-0 198 9-+l+p+-zp0 198 9+-+p+rzp-0 9-+pzP-+-+0 9+-+-zPPwQ-0 9PzP-+NzPKzP0 9tR-+-+R+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 23.Rf1-h1 [Houdini annotates: 23.Ra1-e1 Qe7-b4 24.Re1-b1 Qb4-e7 25.Ne2-c3 Rf5-f8 26.Qg3-g4 a7-a6

230 27.Qg3-g4 Qe6-f7 28.Rd1-d2 b7-b5 27.Qg3-g4 Qe6-f7 28.Rd1-d2 b7-b5 29.a2-a3 h6-h5 30.Qg4xg5 Qf7xf3+ 31.Kg2-g1 -0.13/15 ] 24.h2-h4? [ ¹24.Qg3-b8³ is the best option White has ;Houdini annotates: 24.Rh1-f1 Nf8-g6 25.Kg2-h1 Qe7-f6 26.Qg3-b8+ Kg8-h7 27.Qb8xa7 Rf5xf3 28.Kh1-g1 Rf3-h3 29.Ne2-g3 Ng6-h4 30.f2-f4 g5-g4 31.Ng3-h5 Qf6-f5 -0.37/14 ] 24...Nf8-g6-+ [Houdini annotates: 24...Nf8-g6 25.Kg2-f1 Ng6xh4 26.f3-f4 Qe7-b4 27.f4xg5 h6xg5 28.Qg3-b8+ Kg8-h7 29.Ra1-e1 Qb4-d2 30.Rh1-h3 Rf5-f3 31.Qb8-h2 Qd2xe3 32.Rh3-g3 Bc6-d7 33.Re1-d1 Bd7-b5 34.Ne2-c3 Bb5-e8 35.Rd1-e1 Qe3-f4 36.Re1xe6 Be8-g6 37.Re6-e1 Rf3xg3 38.Qh2xg3 Qf4xd4 39.Kf1-g1 Qd4-f6 40.Re1-e2 Nh4-f3+ 41.Kg1-f1 -0.72/18 ] 25.f3-f4 [ Houdini annotates: 25.Kg2-f1 Ng6xh4 26.f3-f4 Qe7-b4 27.f4xg5 h6xg5 28.Qg3-b8+ Kg8-h7 29.Ra1-e1 Qb4-d2 30.Rh1-h3 Rf5-f3 31.Rh3-h2 Qd2xe3 32.Qb8xa7 Qe3-d2 33.Qa7-b6 Kh7-g8 34.Qb6-d8+ Rf3-f8 35.Qd8-e7 Rf8-f6 36.Qe7-d8+ Kg8-f7 35.Qd8-e7 Rf8-f6 36.Qe7-d8+ Kg8-f7 37.Re1-b1 Qd2-c2 38.Qd8-c7+ Kf7-g8 39.Qc7-c8+ Rf6-f8 -0.97/16 ] 25...Ng6xh4+ [Houdini annotates: 25...Ng6xh4+ 26.Kg2-f1 Qe7-b4 27.f4xg5 h6xg5 28.Qg3-b8+ Kg8-h7 29.Ra1-e1 Qb4-d2 30.Rh1-h3 Rf5-f3 31.Qb8-h2 Qd2xe3 32.Rh3-g3 Qe3-d3 27.Rb1-d1 Qe7-d6 28.Kg2-g1 e6-e5 29.Rd1-d2 e5xd4 30.Qg4xd4 Nd7-e5 0.00/14 ] 23...Nd7-f8 [Houdini annotates : 23...a7-a6 24.Rh1-e1 e6-e5 25.Ra1-d1 Rf5-f8 26.Ne2-c3 Qe7-e6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.a2-a3 Bc6-e8 34.Rg3xf3 Qd3xf3 33.a2-a3 Bc6-e8 34.Rg3xf3 Qd3xf3 35.Qh2-g3 Qf3-e4 36.Qg3-h3 Be8-h5 37.Ne2-c3 -1.02/15 ] 26.Kg2-f1 [ Houdini annotates: 26.Kg2-h2 Bc6-e8 27.Qg3-g4 h6-h5 28.Qg4g3 g5-g4 29.a2-a3 Rf5-f8 30.Ne2c3 Nh4-f3+ 31.Kh2-g2 Be8-g6 32.Ra1a2 a7-a6 33.Ra2-a1 b7-b5 34.Ra1c1 Qe7-d7 35.Rc1-d1 Qd7-c7 36.Rd1-c1 Qc7-d7 37.Rc1-d1 -1.22/15 ] 26...Qe7-b4 [Houdini annotates: 26...Qe7-b4 27.f4xg5 h6xg5

231

Levon Aronian's Best Games 28.Qg3-b8+ Kg8-h7 29.Qb8xa7 Qb4xb2 30.Ra1-e1 Qb2-c2 31.Ne2-f4 c4-c3 32.a2-a4 Qc2-e4 33.Rh1-h2 Kh7-g8 34.Qa7-b8+ Rf5-f8 35.Qb8-e5 Qe4xe5 36.d4xe5 g5xf4 37.Rh2xh4 f4xe3 38.Re1xe3 -1.00/14 ] 27.Ra1-b1 [Houdini annotates: 27.f4xg5 h6xg5 28.Ra1-e1 Qb4xb2 29.Qg3-d6 Rf5-f6 30.Qd6-b8+ Kg8-f7 31.Qb8-c7+ Kf7-f8 32.Qc7-d6+ Kf8-e8 33.Qd6-c7 Bc6-d7 34.Qc7-b8+ Ke8-e7 35.Qb8xa7 Qb2-c2 36.Qa7-c5+ Ke7-e8 37.Rh1-h2 Qc2-d3 38.Qc5-c7 Qd3xe3 39.Qc7-b8+ Ke8-e7 40.Qb8xb7 Qe3-d2 -0.71/13 ] 27...Bc6-e8 [ ¹27...Qb4-d2!?-+ ;Houdini annotates: 27...Qb4-d2 28.Rh1-h3 Bc6-a4 29.Rb1-e1 Ba4-c2 30.f4xg5 h6xg5 31.Qg3-d6 Bc2-e4 32.Rh3-g3 Be4-g2+ 33.Rg3xg2 Nh4xg2 34.Qd6xe6+ Rf5-f7 35.Qe6-e8+ Rf7-f8 36.Qe8-e6+ Kg8-h7 37.Qe6-h3+ Ng2-h4 38.Qh3-e6 Qd2xb2 39.Qe6xd5 -1.12/14 ] 28.Ne2-c3 [ Houdini annotates: 28.Ne2-c3 Qb4-e7 29.f4xg5 h6xg5 30.Rb1-e1 Rf5-f8 31.f2-f4 Nh4-g6 32.Qg3-h3 Rf8-f5 33.Qh3-h7+ Kg8-f8 34.Rh1-g1 Qe7-f7 35.b2-b3 c4xb3 36.a2xb3 a7-a6 37.Kf1-f2 g5xf4 38.e3-e4 d5xe4 39.Nc3xe4 Rf5-d5 40.Ne4-g5 -0.63/15 ] 28...Qb4-e7 [Houdini annotates : 28...Qb4-e7 29.f4xg5 h6xg5 30.Rb1-e1 Rf5-f8 31.f2-f4 Nh4-g6 32.Qg3-h2 Rf8-f5 33.Qh2-h7+ Kg8-f8 34.Rh1-g1 Qe7-f7 35.b2-b3 c4xb3 36.a2xb3 g5xf4 37.e3-e4 d5xe4 38.Nc3xe4 Rf5-d5 39.Ne4-g5 Be8-b5+ 40.Kf1-f2 -0.54/14 ] 29.b2-b4 [ 29.f4xg5 h6xg5 30.Kf1-e1 Rf5-f3-+ ; Houdini annotates: 29.Rb1-e1

232 Rf5-f8 30.f4xg5 h6xg5 31.f2-f4 Nh4-g6 32.Qg3-h3 Rf8-f5 33.Qh3-h7+ Kg8-f8 34.Rh1-g1 Qe7-f7 35.b2-b3 c4xb3 36.a2xb3 g5xf4 37.e3-e4

Levon Aronian's Best Games d5xe4 38.Nc3xe4 Rf5-d5 39.Ne4-g5 d5xe4 38.Nc3xe4 Rf5-d5 39.Ne4-g5 -0.52/13 ] 29...Rf5-f8 [Houdini annotates : 29...Rf5-f8 30.Rb1-b2 Qe7-d6 31.Qg3-h3 Nh4-f5 32.f4xg5 Nf5-g3+ 33.Kf1-e1 Ng3xh1 34.g5xh6 Nh1xf2 35.Rb2xf2 Rf8xf2 36.Ke1xf2 Be8-g6 37.a2-a3 g7xh6 38.Qh3xh6 Qd6-f8+ 39.Qh6xf8+ Kg8xf8 40.Kf2-e2 Kf8-e7 41.Ke2-d2 a7-a6 42.Nc3-e2 Bg6-e4 43.Kd2-c3 Ke7-d6 44.Ne2-f4 -1.08/16 ] 30.Rb1-b2 [ 30.f4xg5 h6xg5 31.Rb1-b2 Be8-h5µ ; Houdini annotates: 30.f4xg5 h6xg5 31.Rb1-b2 Be8-g6 32.Kf1-e1 Nh4-f3+ 33.Ke1-d1 Bg6-f5 34.a2-a3 g5-g4 35.Rb2-a2 a7-a6 36.Ra2-e2 b7-b5 37.Re2-b2 Qe7-d7 38.Rb2-e2 Qd7-c6 39.Re2-b2 Qc6-b7 40.Rb2-e2 -1.06/15 ] 30...Be8-g6 [ 30...Nh4-f5!? 31.Qg3-h2-+ ;Houdini annotates: 30...Qe7-d6 31.Qg3-h3 Nh4-f5 32.f4xg5 Nf5-g3+ 33.Kf1-e1 Ng3xh1 34.g5xh6 Nh1xf2 35.Rb2xf2 Rf8xf2 36.Ke1xf2 Be8-g6 37.a2-a3 g7xh6 38.Qh3xh6 Qd6-f8+ 39.Qh6xf8+ Kg8xf8 40.Kf2-e2 Kf8-e7 41.Ke2d2 a7-a6 42.Nc3-e2 Bg6-e4 Diagram (Diagram 199) 43.Kd2-c3 Ke7-d6 44.Ne2-f4 -1.08/17 ] 31.Kf1-e1 [Houdini annotates: 31.a2-a3 Qe7-f7 32.f4xg5 Bg6-d3+ 33.Kf1-e1 Nh4-f3+ 34.Ke1-d1 h6-h5 35.Kd1-c1 Bd3-g6 36.Rb2-e2 a7-a6 37.Qg3-d6 h5-h4 38.Re2-b2 Qf7-f5 39.Qd6-d7 h4-h3 40.Rb2-e2 b7-b6 41.Kc1-b2 h3-h2 42.Qd7-d6 b6-b5 43.Rh1xh2 Nf3xh2 44.Qd6xh2 Qf5xg5 -1.02/14 ] 31...Bg6-d3

233 [ Houdini annotates: 31...Qe7-f7 32.Rh1xh4 g5xh4 33.Qg3xh4 Bg6-h7 34.f2-f3 Qf7-g6 35.Qh4-h2 h6-h5 36.Nc3-d1 Qg6-d3 37.Qh2-d2 Qd3xd2+ 38.Rb2xd2 Bh7-g6

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+p+-mk-+-0 199 9p+-+p+-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-zPpzPl+-+0 9zP-+-zP-+-0 9-+-mKN+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 39.Rd2-h2 Kg8-f7 40.Nd1-c3 Rf8-h8 41.Ke1-d2 h5-h4 42.e3-e4 h4-h3 43.e4xd5 e6xd5 44.Nc3xd5 -1.31/16 ] 32.f4xg5 [Houdini annotates: 32.f4xg5 Nh4-f3+ 33.Ke1-d1 Nf3xg5 34.f2-f4 Ng5-f7 35.Qg3-g4 a7-a5 36.a2-a3 a5xb4 37.a3xb4 Rf8-a8 38.Rb2-a2 Ra8xa2 39.Nc3xa2 Bd3-e4 40.Rh1-e1 Nf7-d6 41.Na2-c3 Be4-d3 42.b4-b5 Nd6-f5 43.Qg4-g2 Qe7-a3 -0.72/16 ] 32...Nh4-f3+ [Houdini annotates : 32...Nh4-f3+ 33.Ke1-d1 Nf3xg5 34.f2-f4 Qe7-c7 35.Qg3-g1 Ng5-e4 36.Nc3xe4 Bd3xe4 37.Rh1xh6 Kg8-f7 38.Rh6-h2 c4-c3 39.Rb2-b3 c3-c2+ 40.Kd1-c1 Rf8-c8 41.Qg1-e1 a7-a6 42.Qe1-e2 b7-b5 43.Qe2-h5+ Be4-g6 44.Qh5-e5 Qc7-c4 45.Rh2-h1 Bg6-e4 -0.60/15 ] 33.Ke1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 33.Ke1-d1 Nf3xg5 34.f2-f4 Ng5-f7 35.Qg3-g4 a7-a5 36.a2-a3 a5xb4 37.a3xb4 Rf8-a8 38.Rb2-a2 Ra8xa2 39.Nc3xa2 Bd3-f5 40.Qg4-h4 Qe7-d6 41.Rh1-g1 Qd6-a6 42.Qh4-f2 Nf7-d6 -0.88/14 ] 33...h6xg5 Black king safety

234 37.a3xb4 Rf8-a8 38.Rb2-a2 Ra8xa2 39.Nc3xa2 Bd3-f5 40.Qg4-h4 Qe7-d6 41.Rh1-g1 Qd6-a6 42.Qh4-f2 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9+p+-+nzp-0 200 9+p+-+nzp-0 200 9q+-+p+-zp0 9+-+p+l+-0 9-zPpzP-zP-+0 9+-+-zP-+-0 9N+-+-wQ-+0 9+-+K+-tR-0 xiiiiiiiiy Nf7-d6 -0.65/15 ] 34.Qg3-h3³ [ Houdini annotates: 34.Qg3-h3 dropped. [ 33...Qe7xg5!? 34.Qg3xg5 Nf3xg5µ ;Houdini annotates: 33...Nf3xg5 34.f2-f4 Ng5-f7 35.Qg3-g4 a7-a5 36.a2-a3 a5xb4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qe7-f6 35.a2-a3 Qf6-g6 36.Qh3-h5 Qe7-f6 35.a2-a3 Qf6-g6 36.Qh3-h5 Qg6xh5 37.Rh1xh5 Kg8-f7 38.Rh5-h1 Kf7-f6 39.Rb2-a2 g5-g4 40.Kd1-c1 Kf6-e7 41.Kc1-b2 Nf3-g5 42.Rh1-h2 Ng5-h3 43.f2-f4 Ke7-f6 -0.65/17 ] 34...Qe7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 34...Qe7-f6 35.b4-b5 Qf6-g6 36.b5b6 a7-a6 37.Qh3-g4 Bd3-f5 38.Qg4g3 g5-g4 39.Qg3-c7 Qg6-f7 40.Rb2b4 a6-a5 41.Rb4-a4 Rf8-a8 0.50/15 ] 35.Kd1-c1 [Houdini annotates: 35.b4-b5 Qf6-g6 36.Qh3-g4 Bd3-f1 37.Rb2-c2 b7-b6 38.a2-a3 Bf1-d3 39.Rc2-b2 Qg6-f7 40.Qg4-h3 Qf7-f6 41.Qh3-h8+ Kg8-f7 42.Qh8-h5+ Bd3-g6 43.Qh5-g4 Kf7-g8 44.Qg4-h3 Qf6-e7 45.Rb2-e2 Qe7-d7 -0.58/15 ] 35...Bd3-g6 [Houdini annotates: 35...Rf8-d8 36.Qh3-h8+ Kg8-f7 37.Qh8-h5+ Bd3-g6 38.Qh5-g4 e6-e5 39.Rh1-h3 Nf3-e1 40.Rb2-e2 Ne1-d3+ 41.Kc1-d1 Bg6-f5 42.Qg4-h5+ Kf7-f8 43.Rh3-g3 e5xd4 44.e3xd4 Nd3-f4 45.Qh5xg5 Nf4xe2 46.Qg5xf6+ g7xf6 47.Kd1xe2 Kf8-f7 48.Ke2-d2 -0.81/13 ]

235

236

Levon Aronian's Best Games 36.a2-a4 [ 36.Qh3-g4!?³ ;Houdini annotates: 36.b4-b5 Qf6-e7 37.Qh3h8+ Kg8-f7 38.Qh8-h3 Nf3-h4 39.b5b6 a7-a6 40.Qh3-g4 Bg6-f5 41.Qg4-g3 Rf8-c8 42.f2-f4 Qe7-a3 43.Nc3-b1 Qa3-d3 44.Rh1-d1 g5xf4 45.Qg3xh4 Qd3xe3+ 46.Rb2-d2 c4-c3 -0.48/14 ] 36...Rf8-d8µ [Houdini annotates: 36...Rf8-d8 37.Rh1-d1 e6-e5 38.Nc3-e2 Bg6-d3 39.Qh3-g4 Kg8-f7 40.d4xe5 Nf3xe5 41.Qg4-d4 Bd3-e4 42.Qd4xa7 Ne5-d3+ 43.Rd1xd3 Be4xd3 44.Qa7xb7+ Kf7-g8 45.Qb7-c7 Bd3xe2 46.Rb2xe2 Qf6-a1+ 47.Kc1-c2 Qa1xa4+ 48.Kc2-c3 Qa4-b3+ 49.Kc3-d4 Rd8-e8 -1.15/15 ] 37.Nc3-e2 [ ¹37.Rb2-e2!?µ ;Houdini annotates: 37.Nc3-b5 e6-e5 38.Rb2-a2 e5xd4 39.Nb5xd4 Nf3xd4 40.e3xd4 Rd8-e8 41.Rh1-d1 Qf6-f4+ 42.Ra2-d2 g5-g4 43.Qh3-c3 Re8-e2 44.Qc3-g3 Qf4xg3 45.f2xg3 Re2-e3 46.Rd1-f1 Re3xg3 47.Rd2-f2 Bg6-d3 48.Rf1-h1 Bd3-e4 49.Rh1-h4 Rg3-c3+ 50.Kc1-d1 Be4-f3+ 51.Kd1-e1 -1.51/15 ] 37...e6-e5-+ [Houdini annotates: 37...e6-e5 38.Rh1-d1 Bg6-d3 39.Qh3-g4 Kg8-f7 40.a4-a5 e5xd4 41.Ne2xd4 Nf3-e5 42.Qg4-g3 Bd3-e4 43.f2-f3 Ne5-d3+ 44.Rd1xd3 Be4xd3 45.Rb2-g2 Rd8-e8 46.Qg3xg5 Qf6xg5 47.Rg2xg5 Re8xe3 48.Rg5xd5 Kf7-f6 49.Kc1-b2 -1.17/15 ] 38.Qh3-g4 [ Houdini annotates: 38.Rh1-d1 Kg8-f7 39.Rb2-a2 e5xd4 40.e3xd4 Bg6-d3 41.Qh3-h5+ Kf7-g8 42.Rd1-h1 Bd3-e4 43.Qh5-h8+ Kg8-f7 44.Qh8-h5+ Kf7-f8 45.Rh1-h3 a7-a6 46.Qh5-h8+ Kf8-e7 47.Qh8-h5 Nf3-e1 48.Ne2-c3 Ne1-d3+ 49.Kc1-b1 Nd3xf2+ 50.Nc3xe4 d5xe4 51.Ra2xf2

Qf6xf2 52.Qh5xg5+ Qf2-f6 53.Qg5-c5+ Qf6-d6 54.Qc5xc4 Qd6xd4 -1.27/13 ] 38...e5xd4

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 38...e5xd4 [ Houdini annotates: 38...e5xd4 39.e3xd4 c4-c3 40.Rb2-c2 Bg6-d3 41.Qg4-h3 Bd3xc2 42.Kc1xc2 Rd8-e8 43.Ne2xc3 Nf3xd4+ 44.Kc2-d3 Nd4-e6 45.Qh3-h7+ Kg8-f8 46.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-f7 47.Qh8-h5+ g7-g6 48.Qh5-h7+ Ne6-g7 49.Qh7-h3 Re8-d8 50.Qh3-g4 Ng7-h5 51.Nc3-e2 Qf6xf2 52.Qg4xg5 Qf2-f3+ 53.Kd3-d2 Rd8-e8 54.Rh1-e1 Kf7-g7 -1.96/15 ] 39.e3xd4 [Houdini annotates: 39.e3xd4 Bg6-e4 40.Rh1-d1 Be4-d3 41.b4-b5 g7-g6 42.a4-a5 Qf6-f8 43.Qg4-e6+ Kg8-g7 44.Ne2-c3 Nf3xd4 45.Qe6-e5+ Qf8-f6 46.Rd1-e1 Nd4-b3+ 47.Kc1-d1 Kg7-f7 48.Qe5xf6+ Kf7xf6 49.a5-a6 d5-d4 50.Nc3-e4+ Bd3xe4 51.Re1xe4 Nb3-c5 -2.05/17 ] 39...Rd8-e8 [ Houdini annotates: 39...Bg6-e4 40.Rh1-d1 Be4-d3 41.b4-b5 g7-g6 42.a4-a5 Qf6-f8 43.Qg4-e6+ Kg8-g7 44.Ne2-c3 Nf3xd4 45.Qe6-e5+ Qf8-f6 46.Rd1-e1 Nd4-b3+ 47.Kc1-d1 Kg7-f7 48.Qe5xf6+ Kf7xf6 49.a5-a6 d5-d4 50.Nc3-e4+ Bd3xe4 51.Re1xe4 Nb3-c5 -1.67/16 ] 40.Qg4-d7 [ 40.Rb2-a2 Bg6-d3 41.Rh1h8+ Kg8xh8 42.Qg4-h5+ Qf6h6 43.Qh5xe8+ Kh8-h7-+ ;Houdini annotates: 40.a4-a5 Re8-e6 41.a5a6 b7xa6 42.Rb2-a2 Bg6-d3 43.Kc1-d1 Bd3-b1 44.Ra2-a3 Bb1-e4 45.Rh1-h3 Nf3xd4 46.Ne2xd4 Qf6xd4+ 47.Kd1-c1 Qd4-f6 48.Rh3-g3 g7-g6 49.Ra3-c3 Kg8-g7 -1.90/15 ] 40...c4-c3 [Houdini annotates: 40...c4-c3 41.Rb2-c2 Re8-d8 42.Qd7-g4 Bg6-d3 43.Qg4-h3 Bd3xc2 44.Kc1xc2 Rd8-e8 45.Ne2xc3 Nf3xd4+ 46.Kc2-d3 Nd4-e6

237 47.Qh3-h7+ Kg8-f8 48.Qh7-h8+ Kf8-f7 49.Qh8-h5+ g7-g6 50.Qh5-h7+ Ne6-g7 51.Qh7-h3 Re8-d8 52.Qh3-g4 Ng7-h5 53.Kd3-c2 Qf6xf2+ 54.Kc2-b3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qf2-f4 55.Qg4-e2 Nh5-f6 56.Qe2-d3 g5-g4 57.Rh1-f1 Qf4-c4+ 58.Qd3xc4 d5xc4+ 59.Kb3xc4 -1.76/14 ] 41.Rb2-a2 [Houdini annotates: 41.Rb2-c2 Re8-d8 42.Qd7-h3 Bg6xc2 43.Kc1xc2 Rd8-e8 44.Ne2xc3 Nf3xd4+ 45.Kc2-d1 Qf6-f3+ 46.Qh3xf3 Nd4xf3 47.a4-a5 d5-d4 48.Nc3-d5 g5-g4 49.Nd5-c7 Re8-c8 50.Nc7-b5 Rc8-c4 51.Nb5xa7 Rc4xb4 52.Kd1-c2 Kg8-f7 -2.22/13 ] 41...Nf3-e1 [Houdini annotates: 41...Nf3-e1 42.Rh1-h3 Qf6xf2 43.Qd7xd5+ Bg6-f7 44.Qd5-h1 Ne1-d3+ 45.Rh3xd3 Bf7xa2 46.Qh1-f3 Re8xe2 47.Qf3xf2 Re2xf2 48.Rd3xc3 g5-g4 49.a4-a5 Ba2-d5 50.b4-b5 Rf2-f4 51.Rc3-c8+ Kg8-h7 52.Kc1-d2 g4-g3 53.Kd2-e3 Rf4-f3+ 54.Ke3-e2 Rf3-a3 55.b5-b6 Ra3xa5 56.b6xa7 Ra5xa7 -6.32/14 ] 42.Rh1xe1?? leading to a quick end [ 42.Rh1-h3 Qf6xf2 43.Ne2xc3 Qf2-f4+ 44.Kc1-d1-+ ;Houdini annotates: 42.Rh1-h3 Qf6xf2 43.Qd7xd5+ Bg6-f7 44.Qd5-h1 Ne1d3+ 45.Rh3xd3 Bf7xa2 46.Qh1-f3 Re8xe2 47.Qf3xf2 Re2xf2 48.Rd3xc3 g5-g4 49.a4-a5 Ba2-e6 50.Rc3-d3 Be6-d5 51.Rd3-a3 Rf2-f4 52.a5-a6 b7-b6 53.Ra3-e3 Kg8-f8 54.Kc1-c2 Rf4xd4 -6.59/15 ] 42...Qf6-f4+ [Houdini annotates : 42...Qf6-f4+ 43.Kc1-d1 Qf4-e4 44.Qd7xe8+ Bg6xe8 45.Ne2xc3 Qe4-d3+ 46.Ra2-d2 Be8-h5+ 47.Re1-e2 Qd3xc3 48.Kd1-e1 Bh5xe2 49.Ke1xe2 Qc3xb4 50.a4-a5 Qb4xa5 51.Rd2-c2 Qa5-a6+ 52.Ke2-d2 Qa6-f1 53.Rc2-c8+ Kg8-h7 54.Rc8-f8 Qf1-c4 55.Rf8-f7 b7-b5

238 56.Kd2-e1 Qc4xd4 57.Ke1-e2 b5-b4 58.f2-f3 Qd4-c4+ 59.Ke2-e3 -9.85/12 ] 43.Kc1-d1 [Houdini annotates: 43.Kc1-d1 Qf4-e4 44.Qd7xe8+ Bg6xe8 45.Ne2xc3 Qe4-d3+

Levon Aronian's Best Games 46.Ra2-d2 Be8-h5+ 47.Re1-e2 46.Ra2-d2 Be8-h5+ 47.Re1-e2 Qd3xc3 48.Kd1-e1 Bh5xe2 49.Ke1xe2 Qc3xb4 50.a4-a5 Qb4xa5 51.Rd2-c2 Qa5-a6+ 52.Ke2-d2 Qa6-f1 53.Rc2-c8+ Kg8-h7 54.Rc8-f8 Qf1-c4 55.Rf8-f7 b7-b5 56.Kd2-e1 Qc4xd4 57.Ke1-e2 b5-b4 58.f2-f3 Qd4-c4+ 59.Ke2-e3 -10.08/13 ] 43...Qf4-e4 Diagram [ 43...Qf4-e4 44.Qd7xe8+ Bg6xe8 45.Ne2xc3 Qe4-d3+ 46.Ra2-d2 Be8-h5+ 47.Re1-e2 Qd3xc3-+ ;Houdini annotates: 43...Qf4-e4 44.Qd7xe8+ Bg6xe8 45.Ne2xc3 Qe4-d3+ 46.Ra2-d2 Be8-h5+ 47.Re1-e2 Qd3xc3 48.Kd1-e1 Bh5xe2 49.Ke1xe2 Qc3xb4 50.a4-a5 Qb4xa5 51.Rd2-c2 Qa5-b5+ 52.Ke2-d2 Qb5-b4+ 53.Kd2-d3 Qb4-b3+ 54.Kd3-d2 Qb3-f3 55.Rc2-c8+ Kg8-h7 56.Kd2-e1 Kh7-g6 57.Rc8-e8 Qf3-c3+ 58.Ke1-e2 Qc3xd4 -9.51/14 ]

239

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9zpp+Q+-zp-0 201 9-+-+-+l+0 9+-+p+-zp-0 9PzP-zPq+-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9R+-+NzP-+0 9+-+KtR-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 0-1

240

Levon Aronian's Best Games 35

A29 Levon Aronian Hikaru Nakamura

7th Mikhail Tal Memorial (1) 08.06.2012 A29: English Opening: Four Knights Variation with 4 g3 1.c2-c4 e7-e5 2.Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6 3.Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 4.g2-g3 d7-d5 5.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 6.Bf1-g2 Nd5-b6 7.0-0 Bf8-e7 8.d2-d3 0-0 9.Bc1-e3 f7-f5 10.Ra1-c1 Kg8-h8 11.a2-a3 Be7-f6 12.Be3-c5 last book move. White threatens to win material: Bc5xf8 last book move Rf8-e8 [Houdini annotates : 12...Rf8-e8 13.b2-b4 a7-a5 14.b4-b5 Nc6-d4 15.Bc5xb6 c7xb6 16.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 17.Nc3-d5 Bf6-e5 18.Qd1-d2 Ra8-b8 19.Qd2-c2 Bc8-d7 20.a3-a4 Rb8-c8 21.Qc2-b1 Be5-d6 22.Rc1xc8 Bd7xc8 23.Qb1-c2 Bc8-e6 24.Rf1-c1 Be6-f7 0.27/17 ] 13.b2-b4 [ Houdini annotates: 13.Rf1-e1 Bc8-e6 14.e2-e4 Qd8-d7 15.Bc5-e3 Nc6-d4 16.e4xf5 Be6-b3 17.Qd1-d2 Nd4xf5 18.Nc3-e4 Nf5xe3 19.Re1xe3 Nb6-d5 20.Ne4-c5 Qd7-b5 21.Re3-e4 Diagram (Diagram 202) Ra8-d8 22.Nc5xb3 Qb5xb3 0.46/15 ] 13...Bc8-e6 [Houdini annotates: 13...Nb6-d7 14.Nc3-d5 Nd7xc5 15.Nd5xf6 Qd8xf6 16.Rc1xc5 a7-a6 17.Nf3-d2 Bc8-d7 18.e2-e3 Ra8-d8 19.Qd1-e2 b7-b6 20.Rc5-c2 Re8-e6 21.Rf1-c1 Bd7-e8 22.Rc2-c3 a6-a5 23.b4-b5 0.39/17 ] 14.Rf1-e1 White has a cramped position

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+-mk0{ 9zppzp-+-zpp0 202 9zppzp-+-zpp0 202 9-+-+-vl-+0 9+qsNnzp-+-0 9-+-+R+-+0 9zPl+P+NzP-0 9-zP-wQ-zPLzP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy [ Houdini annotates: 14.e2-e4 Qd8-d7 15.b4-b5 Nc6-d4 16.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 17.e4xf5 Be6xf5 18.Nc3-e4 Bf6-d8 19.Qd1-b3 a7-a6 20.b5xa6 Ra8xa6 21.Rf1-e1 Ra6-a7 22.Qb3-b4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ra7-a4 23.Qb4-d2 Ra4-a7 24.Bc5xb6 c7xb6 25.Qd2-b2 Bf5-e6 26.Bg2-f3 Ra7-a4 23.Qb4-d2 Ra4-a7 24.Bc5xb6 c7xb6 25.Qd2-b2 Bf5-e6 26.Bg2-f3 Bd8-e7 0.44/17 ] 14...Qd8-d7 [ Houdini annotates: 14...Nb6-d7 15.Bc5-e3 a7-a5 16.d3-d4 a5xb4 17.a3xb4 Nc6xb4 18.d4xe5 Nd7xe5 19.Nf3xe5 Bf6xe5 20.Bg2xb7 Ra8-a5 21.Qd1xd8 Re8xd8 22.Re1-d1 Rd8xd1+ 23.Nc3xd1 Ra5-a2 24.Nd1-c3 Ra2-b2 25.Bb7-f3 Nb4-c2 26.Nc3-a4 Rb2-a2 27.Na4-c5 Nc2xe3 28.Nc5xe6 -0.04/16 ] 15.e2-e4 [ Houdini annotates: 15.Nf3-d2 Ra8-b8 16.b4-b5 Nc6-d4 17.a3-a4 Qd7-f7 18.e2-e3 Nd4-b3 19.Nd2xb3 Be6xb3 20.Qd1-d2 Bf6-e7 21.Bc5xe7 Re8xe7 22.Qd2-b2 Nb6-d7 23.e3e4 f5-f4 24.Nc3-d5 Bb3xd5 25.e4xd5 f4-f3 26.Bg2-h3 0.34/16 ] 15...a7-a6 Controls b5 [Houdini annotates: 15...f5-f4 16.g3xf4 e5xf4 17.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 18.Nc3-e2 Be7xc5 19.Rc1xc5 Be6-g4 20.d3-d4 Ra8-d8 21.Qd1d3 g7-g6 22.Ne2xf4 Nc6xd4 23.Nf3xd4 Qd7xd4 24.Qd3xd4 Rd8xd4 25.Nf4-d5 Nb6xd5 26.Rc5xd5 Rd4xd5 27.Bg2xd5 c7-c6 0.26/16 ] 16.Bg2-h3 [ 16.Qd1-c2 Ra8-d8 17.Rc1-d1 Qd7-f7 18.e4xf5 Be6-b3³ ;Houdini annotates: 16.Bc5-e3 f5-f4 17.g3xf4 e5xf4

241

242

Levon Aronian's Best Games 18.Be3xf4 Be6-g4 19.h2-h3 Bg4-h5 20.Qd1-d2 Bh5xf3 21.Bg2xf3 Qd7xh3 22.Bf3-g2 Qh3-d7 23.Nc3-e2 Bf6-e5 24.d3-d4 Ra8-d8 25.d4-d5 Be5xf4 26.Ne2xf4 Nc6-e5 27.Qd2-d4 0.38/16 ] 16...g7-g6= [Houdini annotates: 16...Ra8-d8 17.Bc5xb6 c7xb6 18.e4xf5 Be6xf5 19.Bh3xf5 Qd7xf5 20.Nc3-e4 Bf6-e7 21.Re1-e3 Re8-f8 22.Qd1-d2 a6-a5 23.b4xa5 b6xa5 24.Qd2-b2 Rd8-d7 25.a3-a4 Qf5-h5 26.Qb2-e2 Rd7-d8 27.Rc1-c2 Qh5-f5 28.Qe2-d2 0.12/16 ] 17.Bc5-e3 [ Houdini annotates: 17.Qd1-c2 Ra8-d8 18.Rc1-d1 Qd7-g7 19.e4xf5 g6xf5 20.Rd1-c1 Qg7-d7 21.Re1-d1 Re8-g8 22.Bh3-g2 Rg8-g6 23.Bc5-e3 Nb6-d5 24.Nc3xd5 Be6xd5 25.Rd1-e1 f5-f4 26.Be3-c5 Bd5xf3 27.Bg2xf3 Qd7xd3 0.21/14 ] 17...Qd7-g7 Diagram [Houdini annotates: 17...Nc6-d4 18.Be3xd4 e5xd4 19.Nc3-e2 f5xe4 20.Bh3xe6 Re8xe6 21.Ne2-f4 Re6-e7 22.Re1xe4 a6-a5 23.Re4xe7 Qd7xe7 24.Qd1-b3 a5xb4 25.a3xb4 c7-c6 26.Rc1-e1 Qe7-d7 27.Kg1-g2 Nb6-d5 28.Nf4xd5 c6xd5 29.Qb3-b2 Qd7-f5 30.Qb2-c2 0.43/16 ] (Diagram 203) Black has an active position 18.Nf3-g5 [Houdini annotates: 18.Qd1-c2 Nc6-d4 19.Be3xd4 e5xd4 20.Nc3-b1 f5xe4 21.Bh3xe6 Re8xe6 22.Re1xe4 Re6-c6 23.Qc2-d1 Rc6xc1 24.Qd1xc1 Nb6-a4 25.Nb1-d2 Na4-c3 26.Re4-e1 a6-a5 27.b4xa5 Qg7-d7 28.Nd2-e4 Nc3xe4 29.Re1xe4 Ra8xa5 0.27/15 ] 18...Be6-g8 [Houdini annotates: 18...Bf6xg5 19.Be3xg5 Nc6-d4 20.Bh3-g2 f5-f4 21.g3xf4 h7-h6

22.Bg5-h4 e5xf4 23.f2-f3 Nd4-b3 24.Rc1-c2 a6-a5 25.Nc3-b5 c7-c6 26.e4-e5 g6-g5 27.Bh4-f2 Nb6-c8

Levon Aronian's Best Games

243 e5xd4 23.Nc3-b1 c7-c6 24.Qe2-c2 Qg7-c7 25.Nb1-d2 Kh8-g7 26.a3-a4

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+-mk0 9+pzp-+-wqp0 203 9psnn+lvlp+0 9+-+-zpp+-0 9-zP-+P+-+0 9zP-sNPvLNzPL0

9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+-tRQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 28.Nb5-c3 a5xb4 29.a3xb4 Ra8-a1 30.Qd1-e2 Ra1xe1+ 31.Qe2xe1 Re8-d8 32.b4-b5 Rd8xd3 33.Qe1-e4 Rd3-d8 34.b5xc6 b7xc6 35.h2-h4 Nb3-d2 36.Qe4xc6 Qg7xe5 37.h4xg5 h6xg5 -0.21/16 ] 19.Ng5-f3 [ Houdini annotates: 19.e4xf5 g6xf5 20.Qd1-h5 f5-f4 21.Be3xb6 Bf6xg5 22.Nc3-e4 f4xg3 23.Ne4xg5 g3xh2+ 24.Kg1xh2 c7xb6 25.Re1-e3 Re8-f8 26.Ng5-e4 Qg7-g6 27.Qh5-h4 Bg8-d5 28.Ne4-c3 Ra8-d8 29.Nc3xd5 Rd8xd5 30.Rc1-g1 Rd5-d4 31.Re3-e4 Rd4xe4 32.d3xe4 -0.12/16 ] 19...f5-f4 Black gains space [ 19...Nc6-d4!? 20.Nf3-d2 a6-a5= ;Houdini annotates: 19...Nc6-d4 20.Nf3-d2 Ra8-d8 21.e4xf5 Nd4xf5 22.Nc3-e4 Nb6-d5 23.Be3-g5 Bf6xg5 24.Ne4xg5 Nd5-f6 25.Qd1-c2 c7-c6 26.Ng5-f3 Qg7-c7 27.Qc2-c3 Nf5-d4 28.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 29.Qc3-b2 Re8-e5 30.Nd2-f3 0.15/17 ] 20.Be3xb6² [Less advisable is 20.g3xf4 e5xf4 21.Be3xb6 Bf6xc3 22.Rc1xc3 Qg7xc3 ( ‹22...c7xb6 23.Qd1-d2= ) 23.Bb6xc7 Qc3xa3µ ; Houdini annotates: 20.Be3-c5 Ra8-d8 21.Qd1-e2 Nc6-d4 22.Bc5xd4

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qc7-d6 27.a4-a5 Nb6-d7 28.Nd2-c4 Bg8xc4 29.Qc2xc4 Nd7-e5 30.Nf3xe5 Qd6xe5 31.Qc4-c2 Bf6-e7 0.16/16 ] 20...c7xb6 Black has the pair of bishops. [Houdini annotates: 20...c7xb6 21.Nc3-d5 Ra8-d8 22.Nd5xb6 h7-h5 23.Bh3-g2 g6-g5 24.g3xf4 g5-g4 25.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 26.f4xe5 Bf6xe5 27.Nb6-d5 Re8-f8 28.Qd1-e2 h5-h4 29.Nd5-e3 h4-h3 30.Ne3-f5 Qg7-g5 31.Rc1-c5 Qg5-f4 32.Rc5xe5 Qf4xe5 33.f2-f4 g4xf3 34.Bg2xf3 0.15/19 ] 21.Nc3-d5 Praise the knight! [Houdini annotates: 21.Nc3-d5 Ra8-d8 22.Nd5xb6 h7-h5 23.Bh3-g2 g6-g5 24.g3xf4 g5-g4 25.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 26.f4xe5 Bf6xe5 27.Nb6-d5 Re8-f8 28.Qd1-e2 h5-h4 29.Nd5-e3 h4-h3 30.Bg2-f1 Bg8-e6 31.Kg1-h1 Rf8-f3 32.Qe2-c2 Rd8-c8 0.19/18 ] 21...g6-g5 [ 21...Ra8-d8 22.Nd5xb6 Qg7-c7 23.Nb6-a4² ;Houdini annotates: 21...Ra8-d8 22.Nd5xb6 h7-h5 23.Bh3-g2 g6-g5 24.g3xf4 g5-g4 25.Nf3xe5 Nc6xe5 26.f4xe5 Bf6xe5 27.Nb6-d5 Re8-f8 28.Qd1-e2 Rd8-d7 29.Rc1-c2 Bg8xd5 30.e4xd5 Be5-d4 31.Qe2-e6 Rd7-f7 32.Kg1-h1 Rf7xf2 33.Rc2xf2 Bd4xf2 0.36/16 ] 22.Bh3-d7!± Deflection: f6 [ 22.Nd5xb6?! g5-g4 23.Nb6xa8 Re8xa8 24.Bh3xg4 Qg7xg4³ ; Houdini annotates: 22.Bh3-g4 b6-b5 23.Bg4-d7 f4xg3 24.f2xg3 Re8-f8 25.Bd7xc6 b7xc6 26.Rc1xc6 Bg8xd5 27.e4xd5 Ra8-d8 28.d5-d6 g5-g4 29.Nf3-d2 Qg7-a7+ 30.Rc6-c5 Rd8xd6 31.Nd2-e4 Rd6-d5 32.Kg1-g2 Qa7-d7 33.Rc5-c3 Bf6-g7 34.Re1-f1 Rf8xf1 35.Qd1xf1 Rd5-d4 36.Qf1-e2

244 0.62/16 ] 22...Re8-e6 [ 22...Qg7xd7 23.Nd5xf6 Deflection ;Houdini annotates: 22...Re8-d8 23.Bd7xc6 b7xc6 24.Nd5xb6 Ra8-a7 25.Rc1xc6 Ra7-c7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 26.Rc6xc7 Qg7xc7 27.Nb6-a4 g5-g4 26.Rc6xc7 Qg7xc7 27.Nb6-a4 g5-g4 28.Nf3-h4 Bf6xh4 29.g3xh4 Qc7-e7 30.Qd1-c2 f4-f3 31.Re1-c1 Qe7xh4 32.Qc2-c3 Qh4-g5 33.Na4-c5 Kh8-g7 34.a3-a4 Rd8-d6 0.79/17 ] 23.Bd7xe6+- [Houdini annotates: 23.Bd7xe6 Bg8xe6 24.Nd5xb6 Ra8-d8 25.Nb6-d5 Be6-g4 26.Rc1-c3 Nc6-d4 27.Nf3xd4 e5xd4 28.Rc3-c7 Bg4xd1 29.Rc7xg7 Kh8xg7 30.Re1xd1 Bf6-e5 31.Rd1-c1 f4-f3 32.Kg1-f1 Rd8-e8 33.a3-a4 Kg7-g6 34.a4-a5 Kg6-f7 35.h2-h3 1.34/16 ] 23...Bg8xe6 [Houdini annotates: 23...Bg8xe6 24.Nd5xf6 Qg7xf6 25.Rc1xc6 b7xc6 26.Qd1-a1 Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.h2xg3 Kh8-g8 29.d3-d4 c6-c5 30.d4-d5 Be6-h3 31.Kg1-h2 Qf6-h6 32.b4xc5 Rc8xc5 33.Qa1-d4 Rc5-c2 34.Re1-b1 b6-b5 35.d5-d6 Bh3-d7+ 36.Kh2-g2 Qh6-f6 37.Rb1-h1 h7-h6 38.Ne5-c6 Qf6-e6 39.Nc6-e7+ Kg8-f7 1.42/14 ] 24.Nd5xf6 [Houdini annotates: 24.Nf3-d2 Ra8-d8 25.Qd1-h5 Be6xd5 26.e4xd5 Rd8xd5 27.Nd2-e4 Bf6-d8 28.Re1-d1 Bd8-e7 29.Rc1-c3 Rd5-d8 30.Qh5-g4 h7-h6 31.Rd1-c1 a6-a5 32.b4xa5 b6xa5 33.Qg4-h5 Nc6-d4 34.Rc3-c7 1.14/15 ] 24...Qg7xf6 [ Houdini annotates: 24...Qg7xf6 25.Rc1xc6 b7xc6 26.Qd1-a1 Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.h2xg3 c6-c5 29.Ne5-f7+ Kh8-g7 30.Nf7xg5 Be6-g4 31.Qa1xf6+ Kg7xf6 32.f2-f4 c5xb4 33.a3xb4 Rc8-c3 34.Ng5xh7+ Kf6-e7 35.e4-e5 Rc3xd3 36.Nh7-f6 Bg4-f3 37.Re1-c1 Ke7-e6 38.Kg1-f2 a6-a5 39.b4xa5 b6xa5 40.Nf6-h7 Bf3-d5 41.Nh7-g5+ Ke6-f5 1.47/19 ] 25.Rc1xc6 [Houdini annotates: 25.Rc1xc6 b7xc6 26.Qd1-a1 Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.f2xg3 c6-c5

245 29.Re1-f1 Qf6-g7 30.b4xc5 b6xc5 31.Qa1-c3 Kh8-g8 32.a3-a4 Qg7-e7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.Kg1-g2 Rc8-f8 34.Rf1xf8+ Qe7xf8 35.Qc3-c1 h7-h6 36.Qc1-c3 Qf8-d6 37.h2-h3 a6-a5 1.24/18 ] 25...b7xc6 [ Houdini annotates: 25...b7xc6 26.Qd1-a1 Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.f2xg3 c6-c5 29.Re1-f1 Qf6-g7 30.b4xc5 b6xc5 31.Qa1-c3 Kh8-g8 32.Rf1-f2 Qg7-h6 33.Rf2-f3 Qh6-g7 34.Kg1-g2 Qg7-e7 35.Ne5-c4 Rc8-b8 36.Rf3-f1 Qe7-c7 1.25/17 ] 26.Qd1-a1 [Houdini annotates: 26.Qd1-a1 Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.f2xg3 c6-c5 29.Re1-f1 Qf6-g7 30.b4xc5 b6xc5 31.Qa1-c3 Kh8-g8 32.a3-a4 Qg7-e7 33.Rf1-c1 Qe7-f6 34.Kg1-g2 Qf6-g7 35.Rc1-f1 Qg7-h6 36.Rf1-b1 Qh6-h5 37.Kg2-g1 1.13/18 ] 26...a6-a5 [ 26...c6-c5 27.b4xc5 b6xc5 28.Nf3xe5+- ( 28.Qa1xe5?! Qf6xe5 29.Nf3xe5 Kh8-g7± );Houdini annotates: 26...Ra8-c8 27.Nf3xe5 f4xg3 28.f2xg3 c6-c5 29.Re1-f1 Qf6-g7 30.b4xc5 b6xc5 31.Qa1-c3 Kh8-g8 32.a3-a4 Qg7-e7 33.Kg1-g2 Rc8-f8 34.Rf1xf8+ Qe7xf8 35.Qc3-c1 h7-h6 36.Qc1-c3 Qf8-d6 37.Qc3-b2 a6-a5 38.h2-h3 Be6-f7 1.14/16 ] 27.Qa1xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 27.Qa1xe5 Diagram (Diagram 204) Qf6xe5 28.Nf3xe5 Kh8-g7 29.Ne5xc6 a5xb4 30.a3xb4 Be6-d7 31.Nc6-e5 Bd7-b5 32.d3-d4 f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Ra8-a4 34.Re1-b1 Kg7-f6 35.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 36.Rb1-b3 g5-g4 37.Rb3-b1 Ra4-a2 38.Rb1-h1 Bb5-e8 39.Rh1-c1 Be8-b5 40.Rc1-c3 Kf6-e6 1.42/20 ]

246

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+-mk0{ 9+-+-+-+p0 204 9+-+-+-+p0 204 9-zpp+lwq-+0 9zp-+-wQ-zp-0 9-zP-+Pzp-+0 9zP-+P+NzP-0 9-+-+-zP-zP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 27...Qf6xe5 [Houdini annotates: 27...Qf6xe5 28.Nf3xe5 Kh8-g7 29.Ne5xc6 a5xb4 30.a3xb4 Be6-d7 31.Nc6-e5 Bd7-b5 32.d3-d4 f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Ra8-a4 34.Re1-b1 Kg7-f6 35.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 36.Rb1-b3 g5-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Rb3-b1 Ra4-a2 38.Rb1-h1 Bb5-e8 37.Rb3-b1 Ra4-a2 38.Rb1-h1 Bb5-e8 39.Rh1-c1 Be8-b5 40.Rc1-c7 Kf6-e6 1.52/20 ] 28.Nf3xe5 [Houdini annotates: 28.Nf3xe5 Kh8-g7 29.Ne5xc6 a5xb4 30.a3xb4 Be6-d7 31.Nc6-e5 Bd7-b5 32.d3-d4 f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Ra8-a4 34.Re1-b1 Kg7-f6 35.Kg1g2 h7-h5 36.Rb1-b3 g5-g4 37.Rb3b1 Ra4-a2 38.Rb1-h1 Bb5-e8 39.Rh1-c1 Be8-b5 40.Rc1-c7 Kf6-e6 1.21/17 ] 28...a5xb4 [Houdini annotates: 28...Kh8-g7 29.Ne5xc6 a5xb4 30.a3xb4 Be6-d7 31.Nc6-e5 Bd7-b5 32.d3-d4 f4xg3 33.h2xg3 Ra8-a4 34.Re1-b1 Kg7-f6 35.Kg1-g2 h7-h5 36.Rb1-b3 g5-g4 37.Rb3-b1 Ra4-a2 38.Rb1-h1 Bb5-e8 39.Rh1-c1 Be8-b5 40.Rc1-c7 Kf6-e6 1.25/18 ] 29.a3xb4 [ Houdini annotates: 29.a3xb4 Kh8-g7 30.Ne5xc6 Be6-d7 31.b4-b5 Ra8-a2 32.g3xf4 g5xf4 33.d3-d4 f4-f3 34.Nc6-e5 Bd7xb5 35.Ne5xf3 Bb5-d3 36.Kg1-g2 b6-b5 37.d4-d5 Kg7-f6 38.e4-e5+ Kf6-e7 39.Nf3-d4 Bd3-c4 40.Nd4-c6+ Ke7-d7 41.e5e6+ Kd7-d6 1.31/16 ] 29...c6c5? [ ¹29...f4xg3 30.h2xg3 c6-c5 31.b4xc5 b6xc5+- ;Houdini 2.0c Pro x64: 29...Kh8-g7 30.Ne5xc6 Be6-d7 31.b4-b5 Ra8-a2 32.g3xf4 g5xf4

247

Levon Aronian's Best Games 33.d3-d4 f4-f3 34.Nc6-e5 Bd7xb5 35.Ne5xf3 Bb5-d3 36.Kg1-g2 b6-b5 37.d4-d5 Kg7-f6 38.e4-e5+ Kf6-e7 39.Nf3-d4 Bd3-c4 40.Nd4-c6+ Ke7-d7 41.e5-e6+ Kd7-d6 1.43/17 ] 30.b4xc5 [ Houdini annotates: 30.b4xc5 b6xc5 31.g3xf4 g5xf4 32.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Ra8-a2 36.d3-d4 h7-h5 37.Nc4-e5 Ra2-d2 38.Kf3xf4 Rd2xd4 39.Rc1-c6 Rd4-d8 40.Ne5-f3 Kf6-e7 41.Kf4-e5 Be6-d7 42.Rc6-g6 Ke7-f7 43.Rg6-f6+ Kf7-g7 1.56/21 ] 30...b6xc5 [Houdini annotates: 30...b6xc5 31.g3xf4 g5xf4 32.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Ra8-a2 36.d3-d4 h7-h5 37.Nc4-e5 Ra2-d2 38.Kf3xf4 Rd2xd4 39.Rc1-c6 Rd4-d1 40.h2-h4 Rd1-h1 41.Ne5-d7+ Kf6-e7 42.Nd7-c5 Be6-g4 43.Kf4-g5 Rh1-g1 44.Rc6-b6 Bg4-f3+ 45.Kg5-f5 1.58/21 ] 31.g3xf4 [ Houdini annotates: 31.g3xf4 g5xf4 32.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Ra8-a2 36.d3-d4 h7-h5 37.Nc4-e5 Ra2-d2 38.Kf3xf4 Rd2xd4 39.Rc1-c6 Rd4-d1 40.h2-h4 Rd1-h1 41.Ne5-d7+ Kf6-e7 42.Nd7-c5 Be6-g4 43.Kf4-g5 Rh1-g1 44.Rc6-b6 Bg4-f3+ 45.Kg5-f5 1.47/21 ] 31...g5xf4 [Houdini annotates: 31...g5xf4 32.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Ra8-a2 36.d3-d4 h7-h5 37.Nc4-e5 Ra2-d2 38.Kf3xf4 Rd2xd4 39.Rc1-c6 Rd4-d1 40.h2-h4 Rd1-h1 41.Ne5-d7+ Kf6-e7 42.Nd7-c5 Be6-g4 43.Kf4-g5 Rh1-g1 44.Rc6-b6 Bg4-f3+ 45.Kg5-f5 1.57/20 ] 32.Kg1-g2 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Kg1-g2 Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Be6xc4 36.Rc1xc4

248 Ra8-a3 37.Kf3xf4 Ra3xd3 38.e4-e5+ Kf6-e6 39.Rc4-c6+ Ke6-f7 40.Rc6-f6+ Kf7-g7 41.f2-f3 Rd3-d2 42.h2-h3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rd2-e2 43.Rf6-c6 Re2-h2 44.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-g6 45.Kf4-g3 Rh2-e2 46.Kg3-f4 Rd2-e2 43.Rf6-c6 Re2-h2 44.Rc6-c7+ Kg7-g6 45.Kf4-g3 Rh2-e2 46.Kg3-f4 Re2-h2 47.Kf4-g3 1.64/20 ] 32...Ra8-a3 [Houdini annotates: 32...Kh8-g7 33.Re1-c1 c5-c4 34.Ne5xc4 Kg7-f6 35.Kg2-f3 Ra8-d8 36.Kf3xf4 Rd8xd3 37.Nc4-e3 Rd3-d2 38.Rc1-c2 Rd2-d4 39.Rc2-c6 Rd4-a4 40.Ne3-d5+ Kf6-f7 41.Rc6-c7+ Kf7-g6 42.Nd5-e3 Ra4-a5 43.Rc7-e7 Be6-c8 44.Ne3-d5 Ra5-a2 1.62/18 ] 33.Kg2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 33.Kg2-f3 c5-c4 34.Kf3xf4 c4xd3 35.Re1-d1 Ra3-a2 36.Ne5xd3 Be6-c4 37.f2-f3 Ra2xh2 38.Nd3-e5 Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-b3 40.Rd6-b6 Bb3-d1 41.Kf4-g5 Rh2-h3 42.Rb6-b8+ Kh8-g7 43.Rb8-b7+ Kg7-f8 44.f3-f4 Bd1-c2 45.Ne5-d7+ Kf8-e7 46.Nd7-f6+ Ke7-d6 47.e4-e5+ Kd6-c6 48.Rb7-a7 Rh3-g3+ 49.Kg5-h4 1.63/20 ] 33...c5-c4 [ Houdini annotates: 33...c5-c4 34.Kf3xf4 c4xd3 35.Re1-d1 Kh8-g7 36.Rd1xd3 Ra3-a6 37.f2-f3 Ra6-b6 38.Rd3-d1 Be6-h3 39.Rd1-g1+ Kg7-f6 40.Rg1-c1 Rb6-b7 41.Rc1-c6+ Kf6-g7 42.Ne5-c4 Bh3-d7 43.Rc6-b6 Rb7-a7 44.Nc4-d6 h7-h6 45.e4-e5 Ra7-a2 46.Rb6-b7 1.65/20 ] 34.Kf3xf4 [ Houdini annotates: 34.Kf3xf4 c4xd3 35.Re1-d1 Kh8-g7 36.Ne5xd3 Be6-f7 37.Rd1-d2 Bf7-e8 38.f2-f3 Kg7-f8 39.Nd3-e5 Kf8-e7 40.Ne5-c4 Ra3-a7 41.Rd2-g2 Ke7-e6 42.Rg2-b2 Ra7-a6 43.Rb2-b7 h7-h5 44.Rb7-b8 Be8-f7 45.h2-h4 Ke6-e7 46.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-f6 47.e4-e5+ Kf6-e6 48.Nc4-d6 Bf7-g6 1.68/19 ] 34...c4xd3 [ Houdini annotates: 34...c4xd3 35.Re1-d1 Kh8-g7 36.Ne5xd3 Be6-f7 37.Rd1-d2 Bf7-e8 38.f2-f3 Kg7-f8 39.Nd3-e5 Ra3-a7 40.Rd2-d6 Ra7-a2

249 41.h2-h3 Ra2-h2 42.Kf4-g3 Rh2-c2 43.Rd6-e6 Rc2-c3 44.Kg3-f4 Be8-f7 45.Re6-f6 1.74/18 ] 35.Re1-d1

Levon Aronian's Best Games [ Houdini annotates: 35.Re1-d1 Kh8-g7 36.Ne5xd3 Be6-f7 37.Rd1-d2 Bf7-e8 38.f2-f3 Kg7-f7 39.Nd3-e5+ Kf7-e7 40.Ne5-c4 Ra3-a7 41.Rd2-g2 Ke7-e6 42.Rg2-b2 Ra7-a6 43.Rb2-b7 h7-h5 44.Rb7-b8 Be8-f7 45.h2-h4 Ke6-e7 46.Rb8-b7+ Ke7-f6 47.e4-e5+ Kf6-e6 48.Nc4-d6 Bf7-g6 1.69/18 ] 35...Ra3-a2 [Houdini annotates: 35...Kh8-g7 36.Ne5xd3 Kg7-f8 37.Nd3-c5 Be6-f7 38.Rd1-d8+ Bf7-e8 39.Rd8-c8 Ra3-h3 40.Rc8-c7 Be8-g6 41.f2-f3 Kf8-e8 42.Nc5-b7 Rh3xh2 43.e4-e5 Rh2-a2 44.Nb7-d6+ Ke8-d8 45.Rc7-b7 1.52/16 ] 36.Ne5xd3 [ Houdini annotates: 36.Ne5xd3 Be6-c4 37.f2-f3 Ra2xh2 38.Nd3-e5 Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-a2 40.Ne5-g4 Rh2-h3 41.e4-e5 Kh8-g7 42.e5-e6 Kg7-g6 43.Ng4-h6 Rh3-h4+ 44.Kf4-e3 Rh4xh6 45.e6-e7+ Kg6-f7 46.Rd6xh6 Kf7xe7 47.Ke3-e4 Ke7-f7 48.Rh6xh7+ Kf7-g6 49.Rh7-h2 Ba2-e6 50.f3-f4 Be6-f5+ 51.Ke4-e5 1.75/18 ] 36...Be6-c4 [Houdini annotates: 36...Kh8-g7 37.Rd1-b1 Be6-f7 38.Rb1-b7 Kg7-g8 39.Kf4-e3 Bf7-c4 40.Nd3-c5 Ra2-e2+ 41.Ke3-d4 Bc4-f7 42.f2-f4 Re2-c2 43.Rb7-c7 Rc2xh2 44.f4-f5 Rh2-d2+ 45.Kd4-e5 h7-h5 1.78/16 ] 37.f2-f3 [Houdini annotates: 37.f2-f3 Ra2xh2 38.Nd3-e5 Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-a2 40.Ne5-g4 Rh2-h3 41.e4-e5 Kh8-g7 42.e5-e6 Kg7-g6 43.Ng4-h6 Rh3-h4+ 44.Kf4-e3 Rh4xh6 45.e6-e7+ Kg6-f7 46.Rd6xh6 Kf7xe7 47.Ke3-e4 Ke7-f7 48.Rh6xh7+ Kf7-g6 49.Rh7-h2 Ba2-e6 50.f3-f4 Be6-f5+ 51.Ke4-e5 1.75/19 ] 37...Ra2xh2 [Houdini annotates: 37...Ra2xh2 38.Nd3-e5 Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-a2 40.Kf4-g5 Rh2-g2+

250 41.Kg5-f6 Rg2-g8 42.Rd6-d7 Rg8-b8 43.Rd7-a7 Ba2-b3 44.f3-f4 Rb8-b6+ 45.Kf6-g5 h7-h6+ 46.Kg5-g4 Bb3-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games 47.Kg4-f5 Kh8-g8 1.71/16 ] 38.Nd3-e5 47.Kg4-f5 Kh8-g8 1.71/16 ] 38.Nd3-e5 [Houdini annotates: 38.Nd3-e5 Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-a2 40.Kf4-g5 Rh2-g2+ 41.Kg5-f6 Rg2-g8 42.Rd6-d7 Rg8-b8 43.Rd7-a7 Ba2-b3 44.Ne5-d7 Rb8-g8 45.f3-f4 Rg8-g6+ 46.Kf6-e5 Rg6-e6+ 47.Ke5-f5 1.70/16 ] 38...Bc4-a2 [Houdini annotates: 38...Bc4-e6 39.Rd1-d6 Be6-b3 40.Rd6-b6 Bb3-d1 41.Rb6-b1 Bd1-a4 42.Rb1-b4 Rh2-a2 43.Rb4-b7 Kh8-g8 44.Ne5-g4 h7-h5 45.Ng4-f6+ Kg8-f8 46.Nf6xh5 Ba4-c6 47.Rb7-c7 1.55/14 ] 39.Rd1-d7 [Houdini annotates: 39.Kf4-g5 Rh2-g2+ 40.Kg5-f6 Rg2-g8 41.f3-f4 Rg8-f8+ 42.Kf6-g5 Rf8-e8 43.Rd1-d7 Re8-e6 44.Rd7-c7 Ba2-b3 45.Rc7-b7 Bb3-c2 46.Kg5-f5 Re6-e8 47.Rb7-f7 Kh8-g8 1.73/14 ] 39...Rh2-h6 [ 39...Rh2-h5 40.Rd7-a7 Ba2-e6 41.Ra7-e7+- ;Houdini annotates: 39...Rh2-h5 40.Rd7-c7 Ba2-e6 41.Rc7-e7 Be6-h3 42.Kf4-g3 Bh3-f1 43.f3-f4 Rh5-h3+ 44.Kg3-g4 Rh3-e3 45.Kg4-f5 Kh8-g8 46.Re7-a7 h7-h5 47.Kf5-g6 Kg8-f8 1.69/14 ] 40.Ne5-f7+ [Houdini annotates: 40.Rd7-a7 Ba2-b3 41.Ne5-g4 Rh6-g6 42.e4-e5 Rg6-g7 43.Ra7-a8+ Rg7-g8 44.Ra8-a3 Bb3-f7 45.Ra3-a7 Rg8-f8 46.Ng4-f6 Kh8-g7 47.Kf4-f5 Rf8-c8 48.f3-f4 h7-h6 49.Ra7-d7 Rc8-c5 50.Nf6-e4 Rc5-a5 51.Ne4-d6 1.92/16 ] 40...Ba2xf7 [Houdini annotates: 40...Ba2xf7 41.Rd7xf7 Kh8-g8 42.Rf7-f5 Rh6-a6 43.e4-e5 Ra6-a4+ 44.Kf4-g5 Kg8-g7 45.Rf5-f6 Ra4-a7 46.f3-f4 Ra7-a1 47.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 48.Kg5-f5 Ra1-a7 49.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 50.Rh6-h5 Ra7-a5 51.Rh5-h3 Ra5-b5 52.Rh3-h1 Rb5-a5 53.Rh1-h5 h7-h6 54.Rh5-h1 Ra5-a6 55.Rh1-d1 Ra6-a7

251 56.Kf5-e6 Ra7-a6+ 57.Rd1-d6 1.24/16 ] 41.Rd7xf7 [Houdini annotates: 41.Rd7xf7 Kh8-g8 42.Rf7-f5 Rh6-a6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43.e4-e5 Ra6-a4+ 44.Kf4-g5 Kg8-g7 45.Rf5-f6 Ra4-a7 46.f3-f4 Ra7-a1 47.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 48.Kg5-f5 Ra1-a7 49.Rb6-h6 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9tr-+-+k+p0 205 9-+-+-+-tR0 205 9+-+-zPK+-0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kf7-g7 50.Rh6-h5 Ra7-a5 51.Rh5-h3 Ra5-b5 52.Rh3-h1 Rb5-a5 53.Rh1-h5 h7-h6 54.Rh5-h1 Ra5-a6 55.Rh1-d1 Ra6-a7 56.Kf5-e6 Ra7-a6+ 57.Rd1-d6 1.16/17 ] 41...Kh8-g8 [ Houdini annotates: 41...Kh8-g8 42.Rf7-f5 Rh6-a6 43.e4-e5 Ra6-a4+ 44.Kf4-g5 Kg8-g7 45.Rf5-f6 Ra4-a7 46.f3-f4 Ra7-a1 47.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 48.Kg5-f5 Ra1-a7 49.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 50.Rh6-h5 Ra7-a5 51.Rh5-h3 Ra5-b5 52.Rh3-h1 Rb5-a5 53.Rh1-h5 h7-h6 54.Rh5-h1 Ra5-a6 55.Rh1-d1 Ra6-a7 56.Kf5-e6 Ra7-a6+ 57.Rd1-d6 1.20/18 ] 42.Rf7-f5 [ 42.Rf7-a7!? seems even better Rh6-f6+ 43.Kf4-g4 h7-h5+ 44.Kg4-g3 h5-h4+ 45.Kg3-g4 h4-h3+- ;Houdini annotates: 42.Rf7-f5 Rh6-b6 43.e4-e5 Rb6-h6 44.Kf4-e4 Rh6-a6 45.Rf5-f4 Ra6-a7 46.Rf4-f6 Kg8-g7 47.Ke4-f5 Ra7-c7

252 42...Rh6-h1 [Houdini annotates: 42...Rh6-h1 [Houdini annotates: 42...Rh6-c6 43.e4-e5 Rc6-c4+ 44.Kf4-g5 Kg8-g7 45.Rf5-f6 Rc4-c7 46.f3-f4 Rc7-c1 47.Kg5-f5 Rc1-c7 48.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 49.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 50.Rh6-f6 Rc7-a7 51.Rf6-d6 Kg7-f7 52.Rd6-h6 Kf7-g7 53.Rh6-f6 Ra7-c7 54.Rf6-b6 1.15/16 ] 43.e4-e5 54.Rf6-b6 1.15/16 ] 43.e4-e5 [ Houdini annotates: 43.e4-e5 Rh1-h6 44.Kf4-e4 Rh6-a6 45.Rf5-f4 Ra6-a7 46.Rf4-f6 Kg8-g7 47.Ke4-f5 Ra7-c7 48.f3-f4 Rc7-a7 49.Kf5-g5 Ra7-a1 50.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 51.Kg5-f5 Ra1-a7 52.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 53.Rh6-f6 Ra7-c7 54.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 55.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 56.Rh6-b6 Kg7-f7 1.09/18 ] 43...h7-h5?? the final mistake, not that it matters anymore [ 43...Rh1-h6+- ; Houdini annotates: 43...Rh1-h6 48.f3-f4 Rc7-a7 49.Kf5-g5 Ra7-a1 50.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 51.Kg5-f5 Ra1-a7 52.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 53.Rh6-f6 Ra7-c7 54.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 55.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 56.Rh6-f6 Rc7-a7 1.09/17 ]

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44.Kf4-e4 Rh6-a6 45.Rf5-f4 Ra6-a7 44.Kf4-e4 Rh6-a6 45.Rf5-f4 Ra6-a7 46.Rf4-f6 Kg8-g7 47.f3-f4 Ra7-c7 48.Ke4-f5 Rc7-a7 49.Rf6-d6 Kg7-f7 50.Rd6-h6 Kf7-g7 51.Rh6-f6 Ra7-c7 52.Rf6-b6 Kg7-f7 53.Rb6-h6 Kf7-g7 54.Rh6-b6 Kg7-f7 1.15/16 ] 44.Rf5-g5+ [Houdini annotates: 44.Rf5-g5+ Kg8-f8 45.Kf4-f5 Rh1-b1 46.Rg5xh5 Rb1-b7 47.f3-f4 Rb7-f7+ 48.Kf5-e4 Rf7-c7 49.e5-e6 Kf8-g7 50.f4-f5 Rc7-c4+ 51.Ke4-e5 Rc4-c5+ 52.Ke5-f4 Rc5-c1 53.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f8 54.f5-f6 Rc1-f1+ 55.Kf4-e5 Rf1-e1+ 56.Ke5-f5 Re1-f1+ 57.Kf5-g6 Kf8-e8 58.e6-e7 2.79/15 ] 44...Kg8-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 44...Kg8-f7 45.Kf4-f5 h5-h4 46.Rg5-h5 h4-h3 47.f3-f4 h3-h2 48.Rh5-h3 Kf7-e7 49.Rh3-h7+ Ke7-d8 50.e5-e6 Kd8-c8 51.Kf5-f6 Rh1-f1 52.Rh7xh2 Rf1xf4+ 53.Kf6-e5 Rf4-f1 54.Rh2-h8+ Kc8-c7 55.e6-e7 Rf1-e1+ 56.Ke5-f6 Re1-f1+ 57.Kf6-e6 Rf1-e1+ 58.Ke6-f7 Re1-f1+ 59.Kf7-e8 Rf1-f3 60.Rh8-h7 Kc7-c6 61.Rh7-h2 Rf3-f1 62.Rh2-c2+ Kc6-b6 63.Rc2-c3 Kb6-b5 64.Ke8-d8 Rf1-d1+

253

Levon Aronian's Best Games 65.Kd8-c7 Rd1-e1 66.Kc7-d7 Re1-d1+ 67.Kd7-e8 2.17/18 ] 45.Kf4-f5 [Houdini annotates: 45.Kf4-f5 Kf8-e7 46.f3-f4 Rh1-h2 47.Rg5-g7+ Ke7-f8 48.Rg7-a7 Rh2-f2 49.e5-e6 Rf2-f1 50.Ra7-h7 Kf8-g8 51.Rh7xh5 Rf1-f2 52.Kf5-e5 Kg8-g7 53.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f8 54.f4-f5 Rf2-h2 55.f5-f6 Rh2-e2+ 56.Ke5-f5 Re2-f2+ 57.Kf5-g6 Kf8-e8 58.e6-e7 2.52/14 ] 45...h5-h4 [Houdini annotates: 45...Rh1-d1 46.Rg5xh5 Rd1-d7 47.f3-f4 Rd7-f7+ 48.Kf5-e4 Rf7-b7 49.e5-e6 Kf8-g7 50.f4-f5 Rb7-b1 51.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f6 52.Rg5-g6+ Kf6-e7 53.Rg6-g7+ Ke7-f8 54.f5-f6 Rb1-e1+ 55.Ke4-f5 Re1-f1+ 56.Kf5-e5 Rf1-e1+ 57.Ke5-d6 Re1-d1+ 58.Kd6-c7 Rd1-c1+ 59.Kc7-d8 Rc1-d1+ 60.Rg7-d7 2.81/15 ] 46.Rg5-h5 [Houdini annotates: 46.Rg5-h5 Kf8-f7 47.f3-f4 h4-h3 48.e5-e6+ Kf7-e7 49.Rh5-h7+ Ke7-d6 50.Kf5-f6 Rh1-e1 51.f4-f5 Re1-e3 52.Rh7-d7+ Kd6-c5 53.Rd7-d2 Re3-e1 54.e6-e7 Kc5-c4 55.Rd2-h2 Kc4-d5 56.Rh2xh3 Kd5-d6 57.Rh3-c3 3.24/14 ] 46...Kf8-g7 [ 46...Kf8-f7+- no good, but what else? ; Houdini annotates: 46...Kf8-e8 47.Kf5-e6 Ke8-d8 48.Rh5-h8+ Kd8-c7 49.f3-f4 Rh1-b1 50.Rh8xh4 Rb1-b6+ 51.Ke6-f5 Rb6-b2 52.Rh4-h7+ Kc7-c6 53.e5-e6 Rb2-f2 54.Rh7-d7 Rf2-h2 55.Kf5-f6 Rh2-h6+ 56.Kf6-e5 Rh6-h2 57.f4-f5 Rh2-f2 58.Rd7-d8 Kc6-c7 59.e6-e7 3.43/15 ] 47.f3-f4 Diagram [ Houdini annotates: 47.e5-e6 Rh1-a1 48.Rh5-g5+ Kg7-f8 49.Kf5-f6 Ra1-a6 50.Rg5-h5 Kf8-g8 51.Rh5xh4

254 Rb1-e1+ 61.Ke5-d6 Re1-f1 3.60/15 ] Rb1-e1+ 61.Ke5-d6 Re1-f1 3.60/15 ]

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-mk-0 206 9+-+-+-mk-0 206 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-zPK+R0 9-+-+-zP-zp0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+r0 xiiiiiiiiy 47...h4-h3 [ 47...Kg7-f7 hardly improves anything 48.Kf5-g4 Ra6-c6 52.Rh4-d4 Rc6-a6 53.Rd4-d8+ Kg8-h7 54.Rd8-d7+ Kh7-h6 55.f3-f4 Ra6-b6 56.f4-f5 Kh6-h5 57.Kf6-e5 Rb6-b1 58.Rd7-h7+ Kh5-g5 59.Rh7-g7+ Kg5-h6 60.f5-f6

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rh1-g1+ 49.Kg4xh4+- ;Houdini 2.0c Rh1-g1+ 49.Kg4xh4+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 47...h4-h3 48.Kf5-e6 h3-h2 49.f4-f5 Rh1-a1 50.Rh5xh2 Ra1-a6+ 51.Ke6-d5 Ra6-a5+ 52.Kd5-d4 Ra5-a4+ 53.Kd4-e3 Ra4-a1 54.f5f6+ Kg7-g6 55.Rh2-g2+ Kg6-f7 56.Rg2-g7+ Kf7-f8 57.Rg7-c7 Ra1-e1+ 58.Ke3-d4 Re1-e2 59.Kd4-d5 Re2-b2 60.e5-e6 Rb2-d2+ 61.Kd5-e5 Rd2-e2+ 62.Ke5-f5 Re2-f2+ 63.Kf5-e5 Rf2-e2+ 64.Ke5-f5 2.63/17 ] 48.Kf5-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 48.Kf5-e6 Rh1-f1 49.f4-f5 Rf1-a1 50.Rh5xh3 Ra1-a6+ 51.Ke6-d5 Ra6-a5+ 52.Kd5-e4 Ra5-a4+ 53.Ke4-f3 Ra4-a3+ 54.Kf3-g4 Ra3-a2 55.e5-e6 Ra2-e2 56.Kg4-g5 Re2-g2+ 57.Kg5-f4 Rg2-f2+ 58.Rh3-f3 Rf2-d2 59.Rf3-e3 Kg7-f8 60.Kf4-e5 Rd2-b2 61.f5-f6 Rb2-a2 62.Re3-e1 Ra2-a5+ 63.Ke5-f4 Ra5-a4+ 64.Kf4-f5 2.47/17 ] 48...Kg7-g6 [ 48...h3-h2 is not the saving move 49.f4-f5+- ;Houdini annotates: 48...Rh1-f1 49.f4-f5 Rf1-a1 50.Rh5xh3 Ra1-a6+ 51.Ke6-d5 Ra6-a5+ 52.Kd5-e4 Ra5-a4+

255

Levon Aronian's Best Games 53.Ke4-f3 Ra4-a1 54.Kf3-f4 Ra1-f1+ 55.Kf4-e4 Rf1-e1+ 56.Ke4-d5 Re1-b1 57.f5-f6+ Kg7-g6 58.Rh3-g3+ Kg6-f7 59.Rg3-g7+ Kf7-f8 60.e5-e6 Rb1-d1+ 61.Kd5-e5 Rd1-e1+ 62.Ke5-d6 Re1-d1+ 63.Kd6-c6 Rd1-c1+ 64.Kc6-d5 Rc1-d1+ 65.Kd5-e5 2.57/15 ] 49.Rh5-g5+ [Houdini annotates : 49.Rh5-g5+ Kg6-h7 50.Ke6-f5 Rh1-h2 51.Rg5-g3 Rh2-c2 52.Rg3xh3+ Kh7-g7 53.Rh3-d3 Rc2-c7 54.Kf5-e6 Rc7-c8 55.Rd3-d7+ Kg7-h6 56.Ke6-f6 Rc8-f8+ 57.Rd7-f7 Rf8-e8 58.f4-f5 Re8-b8 59.e5-e6 Rb8-b6 60.Rf7-d7 Kh6-h5 61.Kf6-e5 Rb6-b1 62.Rd7-h7+ Kh5-g5 63.Rh7-g7+ Kg5-h6 64.f5-f6 Rb1-e1+ 65.Ke5-d6 Re1-f1 3.60/17 ] 49...Kg6-h6 [Houdini annotates: 49...Kg6-h6 50.Ke6-f5 Rh1-h2 51.Rg5-g8 Rh2-c2 52.Rg8-h8+ Kh6-g7 53.Rh8xh3 Rc2-b2 54.Rh3-d3 Rb2-b7 55.Kf5-e6 Rb7-b8 56.Rd3-d7+ Kg7-h6 57.f4-f5 Rb8-e8+ 58.Ke6-f6 Re8-f8+ 59.Rd7-f7 Rf8-b8 60.e5-e6 Rb8-b6 61.Rf7-d7 Kh6-h5 62.Kf6-e5 Rb6-b1 63.Rd7-h7+ Kh5-g5 64.Rh7-g7+ Kg5-h6 65.f5-f6 Rb1-e1+ 66.Ke5-d6 Re1-f1 3.65/18 ] 50.Ke6-f5 [Houdini annotates: 50.Ke6-f5 Rh1-c1 51.Rg5-g3 h3-h2 52.Rg3-h3+ Kh6-g7 53.Rh3xh2 Rc1-c5 54.Rh2-h3 Rc5-d5 55.Rh3-c3 Rd5-d7 56.Rc3-g3+ Kg7-f8 57.e5-e6 Rd7-c7 58.Kf5-e5 Rc7-c6 59.f4-f5 Rc6-c7 60.Rg3-h3 Rc7-a7 61.Rh3-h8+ Kf8-g7 62.Rh8-d8 Ra7-a5+ 63.Rd8-d5 Ra5-a3 64.Rd5-d7+ Kg7-h6 65.e6-e7 Ra3-a5+ 66.Ke5-d6 Ra5-a6+ 67.Kd6-d5 3.27/14 ] 50...Rh1-h2 [ Houdini annotates: 50...Rh1-h2

256 51.Rg5-g8 Kh6-h7 52.Rg8-g3 Rh2-c2 53.Rg3xh3+ Kh7-g7 54.Rh3-d3 Rc2-c7 55.Kf5-e6 Rc7-c8 56.Rd3-d7+ Kg7-h6 57.Ke6-f6 Rc8-f8+ 58.Rd7-f7

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rf8-e8 59.f4-f5 Re8-a8 60.e5-e6 Rf8-e8 59.f4-f5 Re8-a8 60.e5-e6 Ra8-a6 61.Rf7-d7 Kh6-h5 62.Kf6-e7 Kh5-g5 63.f5-f6 Kg5-f5 64.Rd7-d5+ Kf5-e4 65.Rd5-c5 3.55/15 ] 51.Rg5g8 [Houdini annotates: 51.Rg5-g8 Rh2-c2 52.Rg8-h8+ Kh6-g7 53.Rh8xh3 Rc2-b2 54.Rh3-d3 Rb2-b7 55.Kf5-e6 Rb7-b8 56.Rd3-d7+ Kg7-h6 57.Ke6-f6 Rb8-f8+ 58.Rd7-f7 Rf8-a8 59.e5-e6 Ra8-a6 60.Rf7-d7 Kh6-h5 61.Kf6-f7 Ra6-a4 62.f4-f5 Ra4-f4 63.f5-f6 Kh5-g5 64.Rd7-d5+ Kg5-g4 65.e6-e7 3.55/17 ] 51...Rh2-h1 [ 51...Rh2-c2 cannot undo what has already been done 52.Rg8-h8+ Kh6g7 53.Rh8xh3+- ;Houdini annotates: 51...Rh2-d2 52.Rg8-h8+ Kh6-g7 53.Rh8xh3 Rd2-d5 54.Rh3-c3 Rd5-d7 55.Kf5-e6 Rd7-a7 56.Rc3-d3 Ra7-a8 57.Rd3-d7+ Kg7-h6 58.Ke6-f6 Ra8-b8 59.f4-f5 Rb8-f8+ 60.Rd7-f7 Rf8-a8 61.e5-e6 Ra8-a6 62.Rf7-g7 Kh6-h5 63.Rg7-g2 Ra6-b6 64.Rg2-g3 Kh5-h4 65.Rg3-g8 Rb6-c6 66.Rg8-g2 Kh4-h5 67.Rg2-g7 Rc6-b6 68.Rg7-g3 Kh5-h4 3.38/15 ] 52.e5-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 52.e5-e6 Rh1-e1 53.Kf5-f6 Kh6-h5 54.e6-e7 Re1xe7 55.Kf6xe7 h3-h2 56.Rg8h8+ Kh5-g4 57.Rh8xh2 Kg4xf4 58.Ke7-d6 Kf4-g3 59.Rh2-d2 Kg3-f4 60.Kd6-d5 Kf4-f3 61.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-e2 62.Kd5-e4 Ke2-f2 63.Rd3-d7 Kf2-g2 64.Ke4-e3 Kg2-f1 65.Rd7-f7+ Kf1-e1 5.72/17 ] 52...h3-h2 Diagram [ 52...Rh1e1+- desperation ;Houdini annotates: 52...Rh1-e1 53.Kf5-f6 Kh6-h5 54.e6-e7 Re1xe7 55.Kf6xe7 h3-h2 56.Rg8-h8+ Kh5-g4 57.Rh8xh2 Kg4xf4 58.Ke7-d6 Kf4-g3 59.Rh2-d2

257 Kg3-f4 60.Kd6-d5 Kf4-f3 61.Rd2-d3+ Kf3-e2 62.Kd5-e4 Ke2-f2 63.Rd3-d7 Kf2-g2 64.Ke4-e3 Kg2-f1 65.Rd7-f7+ Kf1-e1 5.77/18 ] 53.Rg8-g2 [Houdini annotates:

258

Levon Aronian's Best Games

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+R+0 9+-+-+-+-0 207 9-+-+P+-mk0 9+-+-+K+-0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-zp0 9+-+-+-+r0[ xiiiiiiiiy 53.e6-e7 Rh1-e1 54.e7-e8Q Re1xe8 55.Rg8xe8 Kh6-g7 56.Re8-e1 Kg7-f7 57.Re1-h1 Kf7-e7 58.Rh1xh2 Ke7-d6 59.Rh2-d2+ Kd6-e7 60.Kf5-e5 Ke7-f7 61.f4-f5 Kf7-g7 62.f5-f6+ Kg7-f7 63.Rd2-d7+ Kf7-g8 64.Ke5-e6 Kg8-h8 65.f6-f7 Kh8-g7 66.Rd7-d8 Kg7-g6 67.f7-f8Q 15.23/15 ] 1-0

36

D70

Levon Aronian Fabiano Caruana 7th Mikhail Tal Memorial (9) 18.06.2012 D70: Grünfeld: Unusual White 3rd moves (met by ...d5) 1.d2-d4 Ng8-f6 2.c2-c4 g7-g6 3.f2-f3 d7-d5 4.c4xd5 Nf6xd5 5.e2-e4 Nd5-b6 6.Nb1-c3 Bf8-g7 7.Bc1-e3 0-0 8.Qd1-d2 Nb8-c6 The pressure on d4 grows 9.0-0-0 Qd8-d6 10.Kc1-b1 Rf8-d8 11.Nc3-b5 Qd6-d7 12.d4-d5 a7-a6 13.Nb5-c3 Standard Book moves end here Qd7e8 [ 13...Nc6-a5!?³ ;Houdini annotates:

19.Ng1-h3 b6-b5 20.Nh3-g5 Ne5-c6 19.Ng1-h3 b6-b5 20.Nh3-g5 Ne5-c6 21.Qd2-f4 Bg7-e5 -0.10/14 ] 14.Qd2-e1= [Houdini annotates: 14.Be3-h6 e7-e6 15.Bh6xg7 Kg8xg7 16.Qd2-f4 e6xd5 17.Qf4xc7 d5-d4 18.Qc7xb6 d4xc3 19.Rd1xd8 Qe8xd8 20.Qb6xd8 Nc6xd8 21.b2xc3 Bc8-d7 22.Bf1-d3 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-sn-+-+0{ 13...Nc6-e5 14.b2-b3 e7-e6 9+p+l+pm kp0 208 15.Be3-g5 f7-f6 16.Bg5-e3 e6xd5 9p+-+-+p+0 17.Be3xb6 c7xb6 18.Nc3xd5 f6-f5 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-zPL+P+-0 9P+-+-+PzP0 9+K+-+-sNR0 xiiiiiiiiy

Levon Aronian's Best Games

Nd8-c6 23.Ng1-e2 Nc6-e5 24.Rh1-d1 Ne5xd3 25.Rd1xd3 Bd7-b5 26.Rd3-d2 Bb5xe2 27.Rd2xe2 0.19/12 ] 14...Nc6-e5 [Houdini annotates: 14...Nc6-a7 15.Be3-f4 e7-e5 16.Bf4-e3 Na7-b5 17.h2-h4 Nb5-d4 18.Ng1-e2 c7-c5 19.h4-h5 Nb6-c4 20.Be3-g5 f7-f6 21.Ne2xd4 c5xd4 22.Bf1xc4 d4xc3 0.07/13 ] 15.Bf1-e2 [ 15.Be3xb6 c7xb6 16.f3-f4 Ne5-d7= ; Houdini annotates: 15.h2-h4 Ne5-c4 16.Be3-d4 e7-e5 17.Bd4xb6 Nc4xb6 18.h4-h5 Qe8-e7 19.Qe1-e3 Nb6-d7 20.h5xg6 h7xg6 21.Bf1-d3 b7-b5 22.Ng1-e2 Nd7-c5 23.Bd3-c2 Bc8-b7 24.f3-f4 0.17/15 ] 15...e7-e6 [ 15...Ne5-c4!? has some apparent merit 16.Be3-d4 Bg7xd4 17.Rd1xd4 Nc4-d6= ;Houdini annotates: 15...Ne5-c4 16.Be3-d4 Bg7xd4 17.Rd1xd4 Nc4-d6 18.h2-h4 h7-h5 19.Ng1-h3 Bc8xh3 20.Rh1xh3 c7-c5

259

260

Levon Aronian's Best Games 21.Rd4-d1 Nb6-d7 22.g2-g4 Nd7-e5 23.g4xh5 Qe8-d7 24.Rh3-g3 -0.13/14 ] 16.Be3xb6² [Houdini annotates: 16.Be3xb6 c7xb6 17.f3-f4 Ne5-d7 18.d5xe6 f7xe6 19.Qe1-d2 Bg7-f6 20.Qd2-d6 Nd7-c5 21.Qd6xb6 Rd8xd1+ 22.Be2xd1 Qe8-f8 23.e4-e5 Bf6-d8 24.Qb6-d6 Bd8-e7 25.Qd6-d4 b7-b5 26.Ng1-f3 Bc8-b7 27.Rh1-f1 Ra8-d8 0.14/17 ] 16...c7xb6 Black has the pair of bishops. [ Houdini annotates: 16...c7xb6 17.f3-f4 e6xd5 18.f4xe5 d5xe4 19.Rd1xd8 Qe8xd8 20.Be2-d1 Bc8-e6 21.Bd1-c2 Bg7xe5 22.Bc2xe4 Be5xc3 23.b2xc3 Qd8-c7 24.Ng1-e2 Qc7-c4 25.Ne2-c1 Ra8-e8 26.Be4-d3 Qc4-c6 27.Qe1-d2 Be6-d5 28.Rh1-g1 Qc6-d6 29.h2-h3 0.24/15 ] 17.f3-f4 White threatens to win material: f4xe5 [ Houdini annotates: 17.f3-f4 e6xd5 18.f4xe5 d5xe4 19.Rd1xd8 Qe8xd8 20.Be2-d1 Bc8-e6 21.Bd1-c2 Bg7xe5 22.Bc2xe4 Be5xc3 23.b2xc3 Qd8-c7 24.Ng1-e2 Qc7-c4 25.Ne2-c1 Ra8-e8 26.Be4-d3 Qc4-c6 27.Qe1-d2 Be6-d5 28.Rh1-g1 Qc6-d6 29.h2-h3 0.08/16 ] 17...Ne5-d7 [Houdini annotates: 17...e6xd5 18.f4xe5 d5xe4 19.Rd1xd8 Qe8xd8 20.Qe1-d1 Qd8-e8 21.Qd1-d5 Bc8-d7 22.Qd5xb7 Bg7xe5 23.Be2-c4 Be5xc3 24.b2xc3 Bd7-c6 25.Bc4xf7+ Qe8xf7 26.Qb7xc6 Qf7-f1+ 27.Kb1-b2 Qf1xg2+ 28.Kb2-b3 Ra8-f8 29.Qc6-d5+ Kg8-g7 30.Qd5-d4+ Rf8-f6 0.03/14 ] 18.d5xe6 [Houdini annotates: 18.d5xe6 f7xe6 19.Qe1-d2 Bg7-f6 20.Qd2-d6 Nd7-c5 21.Qd6xb6 Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9r+ltrq+k+0{ 9+p+-+-+p0 209 9+p+-+-+p0 209 9pwQ-+pvlp+0 9+-sn-+-+-0 9-+-+PzP-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+L+PzP0 9+K+R+-sNR0 xiiiiiiiiy (Diagram 209) Rd8xd1+ 22.Be2xd1 Qe8-f8 23.e4-e5 Bf6-d8 24.Qb6-d6 Bd8-e7 25.Qd6-d4 b7-b5 26.Ng1-f3 Bc8-b7 27.Bd1-c2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Ra8-d8 28.Qd4-e3 b5-b4 29.Nc3-e4 Ra8-d8 28.Qd4-e3 b5-b4 29.Nc3-e4 Nc5xe4 30.Bc2xe4 Be7-c5 0.03/17 ] 18...Qe8xe6 [Houdini annotates: 18...f7xe6 19.Qe1-d2 Bg7-f6 20.Qd2-d6 Nd7-c5 21.Qd6xb6 Rd8xd1+ 22.Be2xd1 Qe8-f8 23.e4-e5 Bf6-d8 24.Qb6-d6 Bd8-e7 25.Qd6d4 b7-b5 26.Ng1-f3 Bc8-b7 27.Bd1c2 Ra8-d8 28.Qd4-e3 b5-b4 29.Nc3-e4 Nc5xe4 30.Bc2xe4 Be7-c5 0.25/18 ] 19.Ng1-f3?? a transit from better to worse [ 19.Be2-f3 Qe6-f6 20.Qe1d2 Rd8-e8± ;Houdini annotates: 19.Be2-f3 Bg7xc3 20.Qe1xc3 Qe6-e7 21.Qc3-c7 Rd8-e8 22.Ng1-e2 Nd7-c5 23.Qc7xe7 Re8xe7 24.Ne2-c3 Bc8-e6 25.Rd1-d6 b6-b5 26.b2-b4 Nc5-a4 27.Nc3xa4 b5xa4 28.Rh1-c1 a4-a3 29.e4-e5 a6-a5 30.b4-b5 Kg8-g7 31.g2-g4 Ra8-e8 0.34/18 ] 19...Qe6-e8?? there were better ways to keep up the pressure [ ¹19...Bg7xc3 would keep Black in the game 20.Qe1xc3 Qe6xe4+ 21.Be2-d3 Qe4xf4³ ;Houdini annotates: 19...Bg7xc3 20.Qe1xc3 Qe6xe4+ 21.Be2-d3 Qe4xf4 22.Rh1-f1 Rd8-f8 23.g2-g3 Qf4-a4 24.Kb1-a1 Qa4-c6 25.Qc3xc6 b7xc6 26.Bd3-e4 Nd7-b8 27.Nf3-e5 Bc8-e6 28.Rd1-d6 Kg8-g7

261

Levon Aronian's Best Games 29.Ne5xc6 Nb8xc6 30.Rd6xc6 b6-b5 31.Ka1-b1 Ra8-a7 32.Rc6-d6 Rf8-e8 -0.46/17 ] 20.Qe1-h4± [Houdini annotates : 20.Qe1-h4 Bg7-f6 21.Nf3-g5 Nd7-f8 22.Be2-c4 b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Bc8-e6 24.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 26.Qh4xg5 Ra8-c8 27.a2-a3 Rd8xd1+ 28.Rh1xd1 Rc8-c4 29.h2-h4 Qe8-f7 30.g2-g3 Qf7-f5+ 31.Qg5xf5 g6xf5 32.Kb1-c2 0.43/18 ] 20...Bg7-f6 [Houdini annotates: 20...Bg7-f6 21.Nf3-g5 Nd7-f8 22.Be2-c4 b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Rd8xd1+ 24.Rh1xd1 Bc8-e6 25.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 26.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 27.Qh4xg5 Qe8-c6 28.a2-a3 Ra8-c8 29.Rd1-d6 Qc6-c5 30.Qg5-g3 Kg8-g7 31.Qg3-f3 0.56/16 ] 21.Nf3-g5 [Houdini annotates: 21.Nf3-g5 Nd7-f8 22.Be2-c4 b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Bc8-e6 24.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 26.f4xg5 Rd8xd1+ 27.Rh1xd1 Ra8-d8 28.Rd1-d6 Rd8xd6 29.e5xd6 Qe8-f7 30.Qh4-e1 Nf8-d7 31.Nc3-e4 Qf7-f5 32.b2-b4 Kg8-f7 33.Qe1-e2 Qf5-f4 34.g2-g3 0.42/20 ] 21...Nd7-f8 [ Houdini annotates: 21...Nd7-f8 22.Be2-c4 b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Bc8-e6 24.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 26.f4xg5 Rd8xd1+ 27.Rh1xd1 Ra8-d8 28.Rd1-d6 Rd8xd6 29.e5xd6 Qe8-f7 30.Qh4-e1 Nf8-d7 31.Nc3-e4 Qf7-f5 32.b2-b4 Kg8-f7 33.Kb1-c2 Qf5-d5 34.Qe1-f2+ Kf7-e8 0.41/19 ] 22.Be2-c4 [Houdini annotates: 22.Be2-c4 b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Bc8-e6 24.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 26.Qh4xg5 Ra8-c8 27.a2-a3 Rd8xd1+ 28.Rh1xd1 Rc8-c4 29.h2-h4 Qe8-f7 30.g2-g3 Qf7-f5+ 31.Kb1-a1 Qf5xg5 32.h4xg5 Kg8-g7 33.Ka1-a2 Rc4-c7 0.44/17 ] 22...Kg8-g7 [Houdini

262 annotates : 22...b6-b5 23.Bc4-b3 Bc8-e6 24.Bb3xe6 f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6xg5 26.Qh4xg5 Ra8-c8 27.a2-a3 Rd8xd1+ 28.Rh1xd1 Qe8-c6 29.Rd1-d6 Qc6-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 30.Qg5-g3 h7-h6 31.Qg3-f3 b5-b4 30.Qg5-g3 h7-h6 31.Qg3-f3 b5-b4 32.a3xb4 Qc5xb4 33.g2-g4 0.50/17 ] 23.Qh4-g3 [Houdini annotates: 23.Qh4-g3 Bc8-e6 24.Ng5xe6+ f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 26.Bc4-d3 Nf8-d7 27.h2-h4 Nd7-c5 28.Bd3-c2 Rd8xd1+ 29.Rh1xd1 Ra8-d8 30.Rd1xd8 Be7xd8 31.h4-h5 b6-b5 32.b2-b4 Nc5-d7 33.Nc3-e4 Bd8-e7 34.a2-a3 Qe8-c8 35.Kb1-b2 0.50/17 ] 23...Bf6xg5 [Houdini annotates: 23...Bc8-e6 24.Ng5xe6+ f7xe6 25.e4-e5 Bf6-e7 26.Bc4-d3 Nf8-d7 27.h2-h4 Nd7-c5 28.Bd3-c2 Rd8xd1+ 29.Rh1xd1 Ra8-d8 30.Rd1xd8 Be7xd8 31.h4-h5 b6-b5 32.b2-b4 Nc5-d7 33.Nc3-e4 Bd8-e7 34.a2-a3 Qe8-c8 35.Kb1-b2 0.76/17 ] 24.f4xg5 [ Houdini annotates: 24.f4xg5 Rd8xd1+ 25.Rh1xd1 Bc8-e6 26.Bc4xe6 Qe8xe6 27.Qg3-c7 Ra8-e8 28.Qc7xb7 Qe6-g4 29.Qb7xa6 Qg4xg5 30.g2-g3 Qg5-c5 31.Qa6-f1 Re8-e6 32.Rd1-d5 Qc5-c8 33.Qf1-b5 Re6-f6 34.Rd5-d1 Rf6-f2 35.Qb5e5+ Kg7-g8 0.70/18 ] 24...Bc8-e6 [ Houdini annotates: 24...Rd8xd1+ 25.Rh1xd1 Bc8-e6 26.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-g8 27.Bc4xe6 f7xe6 28.Qe5c7 b6-b5 29.Qc7xb7 Ra8-d8 30.Rd1-f1 Qe8-d7 31.Qb7xd7 Rd8xd7 32.Kb1-c2 Rd7-c7 33.b2-b4 Nf8-d7 34.Rf1-d1 Kg8-f7 35.Rd1-d6 Nd7-b8 36.Kc2-b3 Nb8-c6 37.Nc3-e2 0.92/16 ] 25.Nc3-d5 [Houdini annotates: 25.Nc3-d5 Be6xd5 26.Bc4xd5 Nf8-e6 27.h2-h4 Qe8-e7 28.Rd1-f1 Kg7-g8 29.Rf1-f6 Ra8-c8 30.Rh1-f1 Qe7-c5 31.a2-a3 Qc5-c2+ 32.Kb1-a2 Rd8xd5 33.e4xd5 Ne6-d4 34.Rf6xf7 Qc2-c4+ 35.Ka2-b1 Qc4-c2+ 36.Kb1-a1 Nd4-b3+ 37.Ka1-a2 Nb3-d2 38.Qg3-g4 Nd2xf1

263 39.Rf7xf1 Qc2-c4+ 40.Qg4xc4 Rc8xc4 41.g2-g3 Rc4-c2 1.41/18 ] 25...Be6xd5 [Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 25...Be6xd5 26.Bc4xd5 Nf8-e6 27.h2-h4 Qe8-e7 28.Rd1-f1 Kg7-g8 29.Rf1-f6 Ra8-c8 30.Rh1-f1 Rd8-f8 31.h4-h5 Qe7-c5 32.Qg3-b3 Ne6-d4 33.Qb3xb6 Qc5xb6 34.Rf6xb6 g6xh5 35.Rf1-d1 Nd4-e6 36.Bd5xb7 Rf8-d8 37.Rd1xd8+ Rc8xd8 38.Rb6xa6 Ne6xg5 1.36/18 ] 26.Bc4xd5 [ 26.e4xd5?! Qe8-e4+ 27.Bc4-d3 Qe4xd5 28.Bd3xg6 Qd5xd1+ 29.Rh1xd1 Rd8xd1+ 30.Kb1-c2 Rd1-d5= ;Inferior is 26.Rd1xd5 Qe8xe4+ 27.Qg3-d3 Qe4xd3+ ( 27...Qe4xg2?! 28.Rh1-f1 Nf8-e6 29.Rd5xd8 Ra8xd8 30.Bc4xe6 f7xe6 31.Qd3-c3+ Kg7-g8 32.Qc3-f6 Qg2-e4+ 33.Kb1-a1= ) 28.Rd5xd3 Rd8xd3 29.Bc4xd3 Nf8-e6µ ; Houdini annotates: 26.Bc4xd5 Nf8-e6 27.Rd1-f1 Kg7-g8 28.Rf1-f6 Rd8-d7 29.Rh1-f1 Rd7-e7 30.Qg3-d6 Qe8-d8 31.Qd6xd8+ Ra8xd8 32.Rf6xf7 Re7xf7 33.Bd5xe6 Rd8-d7 34.Rf1xf7 Rd7xf7 35.Kb1-c2 b6-b5 36.Be6xf7+ Kg8xf7 37.Kc2-c3 Kf7-e6 38.Kc3-d4 a6-a5 39.h2-h4 a5-a4 1.22/18 ] 26...Rd8-d7 [Houdini annotates : 26...Nf8-e6 27.Rd1-f1 Kg7-g8 28.Rf1-f6 Rd8-d7 29.Rh1-f1 Rd7-e7 30.Qg3-d6 Qe8-d8 31.Qd6xd8+ Ra8xd8 32.Rf6xf7 Re7xf7 33.Bd5xe6 Rd8-d7 34.Rf1xf7 Diagram (Diagram 210) Rd7xf7 35.Kb1-c2 b6-b5 36.Be6xf7+ Kg8xf7 37.Kc2-c3 Kf7-e6 38.Kc3-d4 a6-a5 39.h2-h4 a5-a4 1.18/17 ]

264

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9+p+r+R+p0 210 9+p+r+R+p0 210 9pzp-+L+p+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9+K+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy 27.h2-h4 [Houdini annotates: 27.h2-h4 Qe8-e7 28.h4-h5 Ra8-e8 29.Qg3-h4 Qe7-e5 30.Rd1-f1 Rd7xd5 31.e4xd5 g6xh5 32.Rf1-d1 Re8-d8 33.Qh4xh5 Rd8xd5 34.Rd1-f1 Rd5-d7 35.Rf1-f6 Qe5-e4+ 36.Kb1-a1 Kg7-g8

Levon Aronian's Best Games 37.Rf6xb6 Qe4xg2 38.Rb6-f6 Qg2e4 37.Rf6xb6 Qe4xg2 38.Rb6-f6 Qg2e4 39.Rh1-f1 Nf8-g6 40.Qh5-h3 Ng6e5 1.77/18 ] 27...Ra8-c8 [Houdini annotates : 27...Qe8-e7 28.h4-h5 Ra8-e8 29.Qg3-h4 Qe7-e5 30.Rd1f1 Rd7xd5 31.e4xd5 g6xh5 32.Rf1d1 Re8-d8 33.Qh4xh5 Rd8xd5 34.Rd1f1 Rd5-d7 35.Rf1-f6 Qe5-e4+ 36.Kb1a1 Kg7-g8 37.Rf6xb6 Qe4xg2 38.Rb6f6 Qg2-e4 39.Rh1-f1 Nf8-g6 40.Qh5h3 Ng6-e5 1.74/16 ] 28.a2a3 [ Houdini annotates: 28.h4-h5 g6xh5 29.Qg3-f3 Qe8-e5 30.Rh1xh5 Qe5d6 31.a2-a3 Rc8-c7 32.Rd1-h1 Qd6g6 33.Qf3-f4 Rd7xd5 34.Rh5-h6 Rc7c1+ 35.Rh1xc1 Qg6xg5 36.Qf4xg5+ Rd5xg5 37.Rh6xb6 Nf8-e6 38.Rb6xb7 Rg5xg2 1.93/16 ] 28...Qe8d8 [ 28...Rd7-c7 29.h4-h5+- ;Houdini 2.0c : 28...Rc8-c5 29.h4-h5 g6xh5 30.Rh1xh5 Rc5xd5 31.e4xd5 Qe8e4+ 32.Qg3-d3 Qe4xd3+ 33.Rd1xd3 b6b5 34.d5-d6 Nf8-e6 35.Rh5-h1 Ne6xg5

265 36.Rh1-e1 Ng5-e6 37.Kb1-c2 h7-h5 38.g2-g3 Rd7-d8 39.Rd3-d2 Kg7-g6 40.Kc2-c3 a6-a5 1.37/16 ] 29.Qg3-f2 [ ¹29.Rh1-f1!? Qd8-e8+- ;Houdini annotates: 29.h4-h5 g6xh5 30.Qg3e5+ Kg7-g8 31.Qe5-f5 Qd8-e8 32.Rd1-f1 Rc8-d8 33.Rh1xh5 Rd7xd5 34.e4xd5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qe8-d7 35.Qf5xd7 Rd8xd7 36.Rf1-d1 Nf8-g6 37.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 38.Rh5-h6 Rd7-d8 39.Kb1-a2 b6-b5 40.Rd1-h1 2.21/16 ] 29...Nf8-e6± [Houdini annotates : 29...Qd8-e7 30.Rh1-f1 Nf8-e6 31.Qf2xb6 Rc8-c7 32.Kb1-a2 Qe7-d6 33.Qb6-f2 Qd6-e7 34.Rd1-c1 Qe7-d6 35.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 36.Ka2-b1 b7-b5 37.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 38.e4-e5 Qd6-e7 39.Qf6xe7 Rd7xe7 40.Rc1xc7 Re7xc7 41.Rf1-c1 Rc7-a7 42.Rc1-c6 Kg8-f7 43.Kb1-c2 a6-a5 1.02/16 ] 30.Kb1-a2 [Houdini annotates: 30.Rd1-d3 Rc8-c7 31.Rh1-f1 Qd8-e7 32.Rd3-h3 Kg7-g8 33.Qf2xb6 Qe7-d6 34.Qb6xd6 Rd7xd6 35.Rh3-f3 Kg8-g7 36.Rf3-f6 b7-b5 37.g2-g3 a6-a5 38.Rf1-c1 Rc7xc1+ 39.Kb1xc1 h7-h5 40.Kc1-d2 0.87/17 ] 30...Qd8-e7 [ Houdini annotates: 30...Rc8-c7 31.Qf2xb6 Qd8-e7 32.Rh1-f1 Qe7-d6 33.Qb6-f2 Qd6-e7 34.Rd1-c1 Qe7-d6 35.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 36.Ka2-b1 b7-b5 37.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 38.e4-e5 Qd6-e7 39.Qf6xe7 Rd7xe7 40.Rc1xc7 Re7xc7 41.Rf1-c1 Rc7-a7 42.Rc1-c6 Kg8-f7 43.Kb1-c2 a6-a5 1.02/18 ] 31.Rh1-f1 [ 31.Qf2xb6 Qe7-c5 32.Qb6-b3 Ne6-f4+- ;Houdini annotates: 31.Qf2xb6 Rc8-c2 32.Rh1-f1 Rd7-c7 33.Rf1-f6 Qe7-c5 34.Qb6-b3 Ne6-d4 35.Rd1xd4 Qc5xd4 36.Rf6xf7+ Rc7xf7 37.Qb3xc2 Rf7-d7 38.Bd5-e6 Rd7-d8 39.Qc2-c7+ Kg7-h8 40.Qc7xb7 Qd4-e5 41.Qb7-f7 Qe5-g7 42.Qf7-f2 Rd8-f8 43.Qf2-g3 a6-a5 44.Qg3-d6 a5-a4 45.e4-e5 Rf8-f2 46.Qd6-d4 0.96/16 ] 31...b6-b5 [Houdini annotates: 31...Rc8-c5 32.Qf2-g3 Qe7-e8 33.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-g8 34.Rf1-f6 Rd7-e7

266 35.Qe5-d6 Rc5-c2 36.Bd5xe6 Re7xe6 37.Rf6xe6 Qe8xe6+ 38.Qd6xe6 f7xe6 39.Rd1-d8+ Kg8-g7 40.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-g8 41.Rd7xb7 Rc2xg2 42.Rb7xb6 a6-a5 43.Rb6xe6 Rg2-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44.Re6-e7 Rg4xh4 45.Ka2-b3 44.Re6-e7 Rg4xh4 45.Ka2-b3 Rh4-h2 0.93/16 ] 32.Rd1-d3 [ Houdini annotates: 32.Qf2-g3 Rc8-f8 33.Rd1-d2 Qe7-d6 34.Qg3c3+ Kg7-g8 35.Rf1-f6 Qd6-c5 36.Bd5xe6 Qc5xc3 37.Rd2xd7 Qc3-c8 38.Rd7xf7 Qc8xe6+ 39.Rf6xe6 Rf8xf7 40.e4-e5 Rf7-f4 41.g2-g3 Rf4-g4 42.Re6-e7 Rg4xg3 43.Re7xb7 Rg3-e3 44.Rb7-a7 Re3xe5 45.Ra7xa6 Kg8-f7 46.Ra6-a7+ Re5-e7 47.Ra7xe7+ Kf7xe7 0.73/17 ] 32...Rc8-c7 [ Houdini annotates: 32...b5-b4 33.a3xb4 Kg7-g8 34.Qf2-f6 Rc8-e8 35.Qf6xe7 Rd7xe7 36.g2-g3 Kg8-g7 37.Rf1-d1 Re7-c7 38.Rd3-f3 Rc7-d7 39.Rf3-d3 Rd7-c7 40.Rd3-f3 0.62/16 ] 33.Ka2-b1 [ 33.Rd3-f3 Qe7-c5 34.Qf2-g3 Rd7xd5± ;Houdini annotates: 33.Rd3-h3 Kg7-g8 34.h4-h5 Ne6xg5 35.h5xg6 h7xg6 36.Rh3-h6 Kg8-g7 37.Qf2-h4 Qe7-d8 38.Rf1-h1 Rc7-c8 39.Ka2-a1 Rd7xd5 40.e4xd5 Qd8xd5 41.Rh6-h8 Rc8-c4 42.Rh8-g8+ Kg7-f6 43.Qh4-f2+ Kf6-e6 44.Rg8-g7 Ke6-d7 45.Rh1-e1 Qd5-d4 46.Rg7xf7+ Ng5xf7 47.Qf2xf7+ Kd7-c6 48.Re1-e6+ Kc6-c5 49.Qf7xb7 0.94/18 ] 33...a6-a5 Black plans b4 [ 33...Qe7-d6 34.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 35.h4-h5 g6xh5 36.Rd3-h3± ;Houdini annotates: 33...Qe7-c5 34.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 35.Rd3-c3 Qc5-e7 36.Rf1-c1 Rc7xc3 37.Rc1xc3 Qe7-e8 38.Rc3-c1 a6-a5 39.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 40.Qf6-e5 Rd7-f7 41.Qe5-c5 a5-a4 42.Qc5-e5 Rf7-f2 43.Rc1-c7 Rf2-f1+ 44.Kb1-a2 Rf1-f7 45.Rc7-c5 Qe8-d7 46.Rc5xb5 Qd7-d3

267 47.Rb5-b4 0.42/18 ] 34.g2-g4 [ 34.Rd3-b3 b5-b4 35.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 36.a3xb4 a5xb4 37.Qf6xe7 Rd7xe7 38.Rb3xb4 Kg8-g7± ;Houdini annotates: 34.h4-h5 Qe7xg5 35.h5xg6 h7xg6 36.Rd3-h3 Rd7-d6 37.Rf1-h1

Levon Aronian's Best Games Rd6xd5 38.e4xd5 Qg5xd5 39.Rh3-h7+ Kg7-f8 40.Rh1-f1 f7-f5 41.Rh7xc7 Ne6xc7 42.g2-g4 Qd5-d3+ 43.Kb1-a2 Qd3-c4+ 44.Ka2-a1 f5-f4 45.Qf2xf4+ Qc4xf4 46.Rf1xf4+ Kf8-e7 47.Rf4-f1 Nc7-d5 48.Rf1-e1+ Ke7-d6 49.Ka1-a2 Nd5-f6 50.g4-g5 0.83/16 ] 34...a5-a4 Black wins space [ 34...Rd7-d6 35.Qf2-h2± ;Houdini 2.0c : 34...b5-b4 35.Qf2-f6+ Kg7-g8 36.Qf6xe7 Rd7xe7 37.a3xb4 a5xb4 38.Rd3-b3 Kg8-g7 39.Rb3xb4 Rc7-d7 40.Rb4-c4 b7-b5 41.Rc4-c3 Rd7-c7 42.Rf1-f6 Rc7xc3 43.b2xc3 h7-h6 44.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 45.Kb1-c2 h6xg5 46.h4xg5 0.55/16 ] 35.Rd3-f3± [ Houdini annotates: 35.Rd3-f3 Qe7-c5 36.Qf2-h2 Rd7xd5 37.e4xd5 Qc5xd5 38.h4-h5 Qd5xg5 39.h5xg6 Qg5xg6+ 40.Kb1-a2 b5-b4 41.a3xb4 Qg6-e4 42.Qh2-h5 Qe4-g6 43.Qh5-e5+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+ptr-+pmkp0 211 9-+-+n+q+0 211 9+-+-wQ-+-0 9pzP-+-+P+0 9+-+-+R+-0 9KzP-+-+-+0 9+-+-+R+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Kg7-g8 44.Qe5-e2 Qg6-g5 45.Rf3-f5 Qg5-d8 46.Qe2-f3 Qd8-e7 47.Qf3-e4 Ne6-g7 48.Rf5-e5 Ng7-e6 49.Re5-d5

268 39.h5xg6 Qg5xg6+ 40.Kb1-a2 Kg7-g8 39.h5xg6 Qg5xg6+ 40.Kb1-a2 Kg7-g8 41.Qh2-e5 b5-b4 42.a3xb4 Rc7-d7 43.Qe5-b5 Rd7-e7 44.Qb5-e2 Re7-c7 45.Rf3-f6 Qg6-g7 46.Qe2-e4 Kg8-h8 47.b4-b5 Ne6-c5 48.Qe4-e5 1.01/16 ] 36.Rf3-f6+- [Houdini annotates: 36.Rf3-f6 Qd6-c5 37.Qf2-g3 Qc5-c2+ 38.Kb1-a2 Rd7xd5 39.e4xd5 Qc2-c4+ 40.Ka2-b1 Ne6-d4 41.Qg3-c3 Rc7-d7 42.Qc3xc4 b5xc4 43.Rf1-f4 Nd4-b3 44.Kb1-c2 b7-b5 45.h4-h5 Nb3-c5 46.Rf6-b6 Rd7xd5 47.Rb6xb5 Rd5-e5 48.h5-h6+ Kg7-f8 49.Rf4xc4 Re5-e2+ 50.Kc2-c3 2.17/16 ] 36...Qd6-c5 [ Houdini annotates: 36...Qd6-c5 37.Qf2-g3 Qc5-c2+ 38.Kb1-a2 Rd7xd5 39.e4xd5 Qc2-c4+ 40.Ka2-b1 Ne6-d4 41.Qg3-c3 Rc7-d7 42.Qc3xc4 b5xc4 43.Rf1-f4 Nd4-b3 44.Kb1-c2 b7-b5 45.h4-h5 Nb3-c5 46.Rf6-b6 Rd7xd5 47.Rb6xb5 Rd5-e5 48.h5-h6+ Kg7-f8 49.Rf4xc4 Re5-e2+ 50.Kc2-c3 2.48/17 ] 37.Qf2-g3 [ Houdini annotates: 37.Qf2-g3 Qc5-c2+ 38.Kb1-a2 Rd7xd5 39.e4xd5 Qc2-c4+ 40.Ka2-b1 Ne6-d4 Qc2-c4+ 40.Ka2-b1 Ne6-d4 41.Qg3-c3 Rc7-d7 42.Qc3xc4 b5xc4 43.Rf6-f4 Nd4-b3 44.Kb1-c2 b7-b5 45.Rf4-f6 Nb3-c5 46.h4-h5 Nc5-d3 47.Kc2-c3 Nd3-e5 48.h5-h6+ Kg7-f8 2.20/16 ] 37...b5-b4 [ 37...Rd7-e7 38.Qg3-e5 Kg7-g8 39.Rf6xf7 Re7xf7 40.Qe5xe6+- ;Houdini annotates: 37...Qc5-d4 38.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 39.Qg3-f4 Qd4-d6 40.e4-e5 Qd6-c5 41.Kb1-a1 Rd7-d8 42.Rf6-f7+ Kg7-g8 43.Qf4-f6 Rd8-d1+ 44.Rf1xd1 Rc7xf7 0.98/18 ] 35...Qe7-d6? [ ¹35...Qe7-c5 36.Qf2-h2 Rd7xd5 37.e4xd5 Qc5xd5+- ;Houdini annotates:

Levon Aronian's Best Games 35...Qe7-c5 36.Qf2-h2 Rd7xd5 37.e4xd5 Qc5xd5 38.h4-h5 Qd5xg5

269 45.Rd1-d8+ Rf7-f8 46.Qf6xe6+ Kg8-g7 47.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h8 45.Rd1-d8+ Rf7-f8 46.Qf6xe6+ Kg8-g7 47.Rd8-d7+ Kg7-h8 48.Rd7xb7 Qc5-c4 49.Qe6xc4 b5xc4 50.Rb7-a7 c4-c3 51.b2xc3 Rf8-e8 52.Ra7-a5 Kh8-g7 53.Ka1-a2 Kg7-f7 54.Ra5-a7+ Kf7-e6 2.39/14 ] 38.a3xb4 [Houdini annotates: 38.a3xb4 Qc5-d4 39.Bd5xe6 a4-a3 40.Qg3xa3

Levon Aronian's Best Games f7xe6 41.Qa3-f3 Qd4-d3+ Diagram

XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+ptrr+-mkp0 212 9-+-+ptRp+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9-zP-+P+PzP0 9+-+q+Q+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+K+-+R+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 42.Qf3xd3 Rd7xd3 43.h4-h5 Rd3-d8 44.Rf6xe6 Rd8-f8 45.h5-h6+ Kg7-g8 46.Rf1-f6 Rf8-c8 47.e4-e5 Rc7-c1+ 48.Kb1-a2 Rc1-g1 49.Re6-e7 Rc8-a8+ 50.Ka2-b3 Rg1-g3+ 51.Kb3-c2 Rg3-g2+ 52.Kc2-c3 Ra8-c8+ 53.Kc3-b3 Rg2-g3+ 54.Kb3-a4 Rg3xg4 55.Re7xb7 Rg4xg5 56.e5-e6 Rc8-a8+ 57.Ka4-b3 Rg5-g3+ 58.Kb3-c4 2.73/18 ] 38...Qc5-c2+? [ 38...Qc5-d4 39.Bd5xe6 f7xe6 40.h4-h5+- ; Houdini annotates: 38...Qc5-d4 39.Bd5xe6 a4-a3 40.Qg3xa3 f7xe6 41.Qa3-f3 Qd4-d3+ 42.Qf3xd3 Rd7xd3 43.h4-h5 Rd3-d8 44.Rf6xe6 Rd8-f8 45.h5-h6+ Kg7-g8 46.Rf1-f6 Rf8-c8 47.e4-e5 Rc7-c1+ 48.Kb1-a2 Rc1-g1 49.Re6-e7 Rc8-a8+ 50.Ka2-b3 Rg1-g3+ 51.Kb3-c2 Rg3-g2+ 52.Kc2-c3 Ra8-c8+ 53.Kc3-b3 Rg2-g3+ 54.Kb3-a4 Rg3xg4 55.Re7xb7 Rg4xg5 2.63/15 ] 39.Kb1-a1 [ ¹39.Kb1-a2 ends the debate Rd7xd5 40.e4xd5+- ; Houdini annotates: 39.Kb1-a2 a4-a3

270 40.Rf6-f2 Qc2-a4 41.Bd5xe6 a3xb2+ 42.Ka2xb2 Qa4xb4+ 43.Be6-b3 Qb4-d4+ 44.Kb2-a2 Kg7-g8 45.Qg3-f3

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qd4-b4 46.Rf2-b2 Qb4-e7 47.Ka2-b1 Qd4-b4 46.Rf2-b2 Qb4-e7 47.Ka2-b1 Rc7-c8 48.Bb3-d5 Rd7-c7 49.Qf3-f6 Qe7-d7 50.Rb2-f2 Qd7-b5+ 51.Qf6-b2 3.88/13 ] 39...a4-a3 [ Houdini annotates: 39...a4-a3 40.b2xa3 Qc2-d2 41.Rf6xf7+ Rd7xf7 42.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 43.Qe5-h8+ Kf8-e7 44.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 45.Qh8-f6+ Kf7-e8 46.Qf6xe6+ Ke8-d8 47.Qe6-g8+ Kd8-e7 48.Qg8xh7+ Ke7-d8 49.Qh7-h8+ Kd8-d7 50.Qh8-g7+ Kd7-d8 51.Qg7-f8+ Kd8-d7 52.Qf8-f7+ Kd7-d8 53.Qf7-g8+ Kd8-d7 54.Qg8-e6+ Kd7-d8 55.Qe6-d6+ Rc7-d7 56.Qd6-f6+ Kd8-c7 57.h4-h5 g6xh5 58.g4xh5 Qd2-d1+ 59.Ka1-b2 Qd1-e2+ 60.Kb2-b3 Qe2-d1+ 61.Kb3-c3 Qd1-c1+ 62.Kc3-d3 Qc1-d1+ 63.Kd3-c4 Qd1-e2+ 64.Kc4-c3 Qe2xh5 65.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-c8 66.Qf4-f8+ Rd7-d8 67.Qf8-f5+ Kc8-b8 68.Qf5-f4+ Kb8-a7 1.55/20 ] 40.b2xa3 [Houdini annotates: 40.b2xa3 Qc2-d2 41.Rf6xf7+ Rd7xf7 42.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-g8 43.Bd5xe6 Rc7-c1+ 44.Rf1xc1 Qd2xc1+ 45.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 46.Qe5-b2 Qc2xe4 47.Be6-b3 Qe4-f4 48.Bb3xf7+ Kg8xf7 49.Qb2-b3+ Kf7-f8 50.Qb3-d3 Kf8-e7 51.Qd3-d5 b7-b5 52.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-e6 53.Qb7-c6+ Ke6-f7 54.Qc6-d7+ Kf7-f8 55.Qd7xb5 Qf4-d2+ 56.Ka2-b3 Qd2-d1+ 57.Kb3-c3 Qd1-c1+ 58.Kc3-d4 Qc1-f4+ 59.Kd4-d5 Qf4-f3+ 60.Kd5-e5 Qf3-e3+ 61.Ke5-d5 Qe3xa3 62.Qb5-f1+ 1.39/19 ] 40...Rd7xd5 [ 40...Qc2-c3+ 41.Qg3xc3 Rc7xc3 42.Bd5xe6 f7xe6+- ;Houdini annotates: 40...Qc2-d2 41.Rf6xf7+ Rd7xf7 42.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-g8 43.Bd5xe6

271 Rc7-c1+ 44.Rf1xc1 Qd2xc1+ 45.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 46.Qe5-b2 Qc2xe4 47.Be6-b3 Qe4-f4 48.Bb3xf7+

272

Levon Aronian's Best Games Kg8xf7 49.Qb2-b3+ Kf7-f8 50.Qb3-d3 Kf8-e7 51.Qd3-d5 b7-b5 52.Qd5-b7+ Ke7-f8 53.Qb7xb5 Qf4-d2+ 54.Ka2-b3 Qd2-d1+ 55.Kb3-c3 Qd1-c1+ 56.Kc3-d4 Qc1-f4+ 57.Kd4-d5 Qf4-f3+ 58.Kd5-e5 Qf3-e3+ 59.Ke5-d5 Qe3xa3 60.Qb5-f1+ 1.69/18 ] 41.e4xd5 [Houdini annotates: 41.e4xd5 Ne6-d4 42.Rf6xf7+ Rc7xf7 43.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 44.Qe5-h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qh8xh7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qh8xd4 Qc2-c1+ 49.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 50.Qd4-b2 Qc2-e4 51.d5-d6 Qe4-d5+ 52.Ka2-b1 Qd5-e4+ 53.Qb2-c2 Qe4-e1+ 54.Qc2-c1 Qe1-e4+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qe4-e2+ 56.Qc1-c2 Qe2-e5+ 57.Qc2-c3 Qe5-e2+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe2-d1+ 59.Qc3-c1 Qd1xd6 60.h4-h5 Qd6-d3+ 61.Qc1-c2 Qd3xa3 62.Qc2-c4 Qa3-f3 63.Qc4-d4+ Kd7-e6 64.h5-h6 Qf3-f1+ 65.Kb1-b2 Qf1-e2+ 66.Kb2-c3 Qe2-e1+ 67.Kc3-c2 Qe1-e2+ 68.Kc2-b3 Qe2-f3+ 69.Kb3-c4 Qf3-e2+ 70.Kc4-c5 Qe2-c2+ 3.13/20 ] 41...Ne6-d4 [ Houdini annotates: 41...Ne6-d4 42.Rf6xf7+ Rc7xf7 43.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 44.Qe5-h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qh8xh7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qh8xd4 Qc2-c1+ 49.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 50.Qd4-b2 Qc2-e4 51.d5-d6 Qe4-d5+ 52.Ka2-b1 Qd5-e4+ 53.Qb2-c2 Qe4-e1+ 54.Qc2-c1 Qe1-e4+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qe4-e2+ 56.Qc1-c2 Qe2-e5+ 57.Qc2-c3 Qe5-e2+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe2-d1+ 59.Qc3-c1 Qd1xd6 60.h4-h5 Qd6-d3+ 61.Qc1-c2 Qd3xa3 62.Qc2-c4 Qa3-f3 63.Qc4-d4+ Kd7-e6 64.h5-h6 Qf3-f1+ 65.Kb1-b2 Qf1-e2+ 66.Kb2-c3 Qe2-e1+ 67.Kc3-c2

Qe1-e2+ 68.Kc2-b3 Qe2-f3+ 69.Kb3-c4 Qf3-e2+ 70.Kc4-c5

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qe2-c2+ 3.24/21 ] 42.Rf6xf7+! Double attack: d4/g7. [Houdini annotates: 42.Rf6xf7+ Rc7xf7 Qe2-c2+ 3.24/21 ] 42.Rf6xf7+! Double attack: d4/g7. [Houdini annotates: 42.Rf6xf7+ Rc7xf7 43.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 44.Qe5h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qh8xh7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qh7h8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qh8xd4 Qc2c1+ 49.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 50.Qd4-b2 Qc2-e4 51.d5-d6 Qe4-d5+ 52.Ka2-b1 Qd5-e4+ 53.Qb2-c2 Qe4-e1+ 54.Qc2-c1 Qe1-e4+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qe4-e2+ 56.Qc1-c2 Qe2-e5+ 57.Qc2-c3 Qe5-e2+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe2-d1+ 59.Qc3-c1 Qd1xd6 60.h4-h5 Qd6-d3+ 61.Qc1-c2 Qd3xa3 62.Qc2-c4 Qa3-f3 63.Qc4-d4+ Kd7-e6 64.h5-h6 Qf3-f1+ 65.Kb1-b2 Qf1-e2+ 66.Kb2-c3 Qe2-e1+ 67.Kc3-c2 Qe1-e2+ 68.Kc2-b3 Qe2-f3+ 69.Kb3-c4 Qf3-e2+ 70.Kc4-c5 Qe2-c2+ 71.Kc5-b5 Qc2-e2+ 72.Kb5-c5 Qe2-c2+ 3.00/18 ] 42...Rc7xf7 [Houdini annotates: 42...Rc7xf7 43.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 44.Qe5-h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qh8xh7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qh7h8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qh8xd4 Qc2c1+ 49.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 50.Qd4-b2 Qc2-e4 51.d5-d6 Qe4-d5+ 52.Ka2-b1 Qd5-e4+ 53.Qb2-c2 Qe4-e1+ 54.Qc2-c1 Qe1-e4+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qe4-e2+ 56.Qc1-c2 Qe2-e5+ 57.Qc2-c3 Qe5-e2+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe2-d1+ 59.Qc3-c1 Qd1xd6 60.h4-h5 Qd6-d3+ 61.Qc1-c2 Qd3xa3 62.Qc2-c4 Qa3-f3 63.Qc4-d4+ Kd7-e6 64.h5-h6 Qf3-f1+ 65.Kb1-b2 Qf1-e2+ 66.Kb2-c3 Qe2-e1+ 67.Kc3-c2 Qe1-e2+ 68.Kc2-b3 Qe2-f3+

273 69.Kb3-c4 Qf3-e2+ 70.Kc4-c5 Qe2-c2+ 71.Kc5-b5 Qc2-e2+ 72.Kb5-c5 Qe2-c2+ 3.23/19 ] 43.Qg3-e5+ [Houdini annotates: 43.Qg3-e5+ Kg7-f8 44.Qe5-h8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7

274

Levon Aronian's Best Games 46.Qh8xh7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qh7-h8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qh8xd4 Qc2-c1+ 49.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 50.Qd4-b2 Qc2-e4 51.d5-d6 Qe4-d5+ 52.Ka2-b1 Qd5-e4+ 53.Qb2-c2 Qe4-e1+ 54.Qc2-c1 Qe1-e4+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qe4-e2+ 56.Qc1-c2 Qe2-e5+ 57.Qc2-c3 Qe5-e2+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe2-d1+ 59.Qc3-c1 Qd1xd6 60.h4-h5 Qd6-d3+ 61.Qc1-c2 Qd3xa3 62.Qc2-c4 Qa3-f3 63.Qc4-d4+ Kd7-e6 64.h5-h6 Qf3-f1+ 65.Kb1-b2 Qf1-e2+ 66.Kb2-c3 Qe2-e1+ 67.Kc3-c2 Qe1-e2+ 68.Kc2-b3 Qe2-f3+ 69.Kb3-c4 Qf3-e2+ 70.Kc4-c5 Qe2-c2+ 71.Kc5-b5 Qc2-e2+ 72.Kb5-c5 Qe2-c2+ 2.89/20 ] 43...Kg7-f8 [Houdini annotates: 43...Kg7-f8 44.Qe5-b8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7-a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d6 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 70.Qd4-d7+ Kb7-b6 2.86/17 ] 44.Qe5-b8+ [Houdini annotates: 44.Qe5-b8+ Kf8-e7 45.Rf1xf7+ Ke7xf7 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7-a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2

Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e1+ 56.Kb1-b2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qe1-d2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qd2xd5 Qe1-d2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qd2xd5 58.Qc2-a4+ Kd7-d6 59.Qa4a6+ Kd6-d7 60.Qa6-a7+ Kd7d6 61.Qa7-c5+ Qd5xc5 62.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 63.Kb2-b3 Kc5-d6 64.a3a4 Kd6-d5 65.Kb3-b4 Kd5-c6 66.h4-h5 Kc6-d5 67.a4-a5 3.08/18 ] 44...Kf8-g7 [Houdini annotates: 44...Kf8-g7 45.Rf1xf7+ Kg7xf7 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e1+ 56.Kb1-b2 Qe1-d2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qd2xd5 58.Qc2-a4+ Kd7-d6 59.Qa4-a6+ Kd6-d7 60.Qa6a7+ Kd7-d6 61.Qa7-c5+ Qd5xc5 62.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 63.Kb2-b3 Kc5-d5 64.a3-a4 Kd5-c5 65.Kb3-c3 Kc5-c6 66.Kc3-c4 Kc6-b6 67.Kc4-b4 Kb6-c7 68.a4-a5 Kc7-c6 69.Kb4-c4 Kc6-b7 70.Kc4-b4 Kb7-c6 71.Kb4-c4 3.32/25 ] 45.Rf1xf7+ [Houdini annotates: 45.Rf1xf7+ Kg7xf7 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d6 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e1+ 54.Kb1-b2 Qe1-e2+ 55.Qb3-c2 Qe2-e5+ 56.Kb2-b1 Qe5xd5 57.Qc2-c5+ Qd5xc5 58.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 59.Kb1-c2 Kc5-c4 60.Kc2b2 Kc4-c5 61.Kb2-c3 Kc5-b5 62.Kc3-b3 Kb5-b6 63.Kb3-b4 Kb6-c6 64.a3-a4

275 Kc6-b6 65.h4-h5 Kb6-c6 66.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 67.Kb4-b5 2.67/9 ] 45...Kg7xf7 [Houdini annotates: 45...Kg7xf7 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7-a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2

276

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e4+ 56.Kb1-b2 Qe4-g2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qg2xd5 58.Qc2-a4+ Kd7-d6 59.Qa4-a6+ Kd6-d7 60.Qa6-a7+ Kd7-d6 61.Qa7-c5+ Qd5xc5 62.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 63.Kb2-c3 Kc5-b5 64.Kc3-b3 Kb5-b6 65.Kb3-b4 Kb6-c6 66.a3-a4 Kc6-b6 67.h4-h5 Kb6-c6 68.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 69.Kb4-b5 2.99/1 ] 46.Qb8xb7+ [Houdini annotates: 46.Qb8xb7+ Kf7-e8 47.Qb7-a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e4+ 56.Kb1-b2 Qe4-g2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qg2xd5 58.Qc2-a4+ Kd7-d6 59.Qa4-a6+ Kd6-d7 60.Qa6-a7+ Kd7-d6 61.Qa7-c5+ Qd5xc5 62.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 63.Kb2-c3 Kc5-b5 64.Kc3-b3 Kb5-b6 65.Kb3-b4 Kb6-c6 66.a3-a4 Kc6-b6 67.h4-h5 Kb6-c6 68.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 69.Kb4-b5 2.73/22 ] 46...Kf7-e8 [Houdini annotates: 46...Kf7-e8 47.Qb7-a8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qa8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-e4+ 56.Kb1-b2 Kd7-d6 57.Qb3-c2 Qe4-e5+ 58.Kb2-b1 Qe5xd5 59.Qc2-c5+ Qd5xc5 60.b4xc5+ Kd6xc5 61.Kb1-c2 Kc5-c4 62.Kc2-b2 Kc4-c5 63.Kb2-c3 Kc5-b5 64.Kc3-b3 Kb5-b6 65.Kb3-b4 Kb6-c6 66.a3-a4 Kc6-b6 67.h4-h5 Kb6-c6 68.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 69.Kb4-b5 2.98/23 ] 47.Qb7-b8+ [Houdini annotates: 47.Qb7-b8+ Ke8-d7 48.Qb8-a7+

Kd7-d6 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2

Levon Aronian's Best Games Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7b6 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 70.Qd4d7+ Kb7-b6 2.85/22 ] 47...Ke8d7 [ Houdini annotates: 47...Ke8-d7 48.Qb8-a7+ Kd7-d8 49.Qa7-b6+ Qc2-c7 50.Qb6-f6+ Kd8-d7 51.Qf6xd4 Qc7-c1+ 52.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 53.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 54.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 55.Ka2-b1 Qe2-f1+ 56.Kb1-b2 Qf1-g2+ 57.Qb3-c2 Qg2xd5 58.Qc2-e2 Qd5-d6 59.Kb2-c3 Qd6-c6+ 60.Qe2-c4 Qc6-h1 61.Qc4-f7+ Kd7-d6 62.Qf7-f4+ Kd6-c6 63.Qf4-f6+ Kc6-d7 64.Qf6-g7+ Kd7-c6 65.Qg7-f6+ Kc6-d7 2.72/22 ] 48.Qb8-a7+ [Houdini annotates: 48.Qb8-a7+ Kd7-d6 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8c8

277 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 70.Qd4-d7+ Kb7-b6 2.47/19 ] 48...Kd7-d6 [Houdini annotates: 48...Kd7-d6 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+

278

Levon Aronian's Best Games 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d6+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 62.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 63.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 64.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 65.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 66.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 68.Qd4-d7+ Kb7-b6 69.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 2.60/20 ] 49.Qa7xd4 [Houdini annotates: 49.Qa7xd4 Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-b7 70.Qd4-d7+ Kb7-b6 2.47/19 ] 49...Qc2-c1+ [Houdini annotates: 49...Qc2-c1+ 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4xh4 55.Qe3-e6+ Kd6-c7 56.Qe6-e7+ Kc7-b6 57.Qe7-c5+ Kb6-b7 58.Qc5-c6+ Kb7-a7 59.d5-d6 Qh4xg5 60.d6-d7 Qg5-g1+ 61.Kb1-c2 Qg1-f2+ 62.Kc2-b3 Qf2-g3+ 63.Qc6-c3 2.94/20 ] 50.Ka1-a2 [Houdini annotates: 50.Ka1-a2 Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6

60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7

Levon Aronian's Best Games 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-a6+ Kb7-b8 2.44/1 ] 50...Qc1-c2+ [Houdini annotates: 50...Qc1-c2+ 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-a6+ Kb7-b8 2.68/21 ] 51.Qd4-b2 [Houdini annotates: 51.Qd4-b2 Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+ Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-c7 70.Qd4-c4+ Kc7-b6 71.Qc4-e6+ Kb6-c7 72.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b6 73.Qf7-f6+ 2.44/18 ] 51...Qc2-c4+ [Houdini annotates: 51...Qc2-c4+ 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-b8 64.Qa6-b6+

279 Kb8-c8 65.Qb6-e6+ Kc8-b7 66.Qe6-f7+ Kb7-b6 67.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 68.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6

Levon Aronian's Best Games 69.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-c7 70.Qd4-c4+ Kc7-b6 71.Qc4-e6+ Kb6-c7 72.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b6 73.Qf7-f6+ 2.56/19 ] 52.Ka2-a1 [Houdini annotates: 52.Qb2-b3 Qc4-e2+ 53.Ka2-b1 Qe2xg4 54.Qb3-e3 Qg4-d1+ 55.Kb1-b2 Qd1xd5 56.a3-a4 Kd6-c6 57.Kb2-c3 Qd5-h1 58.b4-b5+ Kc6-b7 59.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-b6 60.Qe7-d8+ Kb6-b7 61.Qd8-d7+ Kb7-b6 62.Qd7-d6+ Kb6-b7 63.Qd6-a6+ Kb7-c7 64.Qa6-a7+ Kc7-d6 65.Qa7-b6+ Kd6-d7 66.Qb6-d4+ Kd7-c7 67.Qd4-c4+ Kc7-b6 68.Qc4-e6+ Kb6-c7 69.Qe6-f7+ Kc7-b6 70.Qf7-f6+ Kb6-b7 71.Qf6-g7+ Kb7-b6 72.Qg7-d4+ Kb6-c7 73.Qd4-c4+ 2.44/18 ] 52...Qc4xg4 [ Houdini annotates: 52...Qc4xd5 53.Qb2-f6+ Kd6-c7 54.Qf6-f4+ Kc7-d7 55.Ka1-b2 Qd5-g2+ 56.Kb2-b3 Qg2-h3+ 57.Kb3-a4 Qh3xh4 58.b4-b5 Qh4-h1 59.Qf4-d4+ Kd7-c8 60.Ka4-a5 Qh1-e1+ 61.Ka5-a6 Qe1-e6+ 62.b5-b6 Qe6-e2+ 63.Ka6-a5 Qe2-e7 64.Qd4-c3+ Diagram (Diagram 213) Kc8-b7 65.Qc3-f3+ Kb7-b8 2.17/18 ] 53.Qb2-f2 [Houdini annotates: 53.Qb2-f2 Qg4-d1+ 54.Ka1-b2 Qd1xd5 55.a3-a4 Qd5-e5+ 56.Kb2-c2 Qe5-e4+ 57.Kc2-c3 Qe4-c6+ 58.Kc3-b3 Qc6-d5+ 59.Kb3-a3 Kd6-c6 60.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 61.Qf2-b6+ Kb7-a8 62.Qb6-e3 Ka8-b7 63.Qe3-e7+ Kb7-a6 64.Qe7-f6+ Ka6-b7 65.Qf6-c3 Qd5-d7 66.Qc3-f3+ Kb7-c7 67.Qf3-e3

280

XIIIIIIIIY XIIIIIIIIY 9-+k+-+-+0{ 9+-+-wq-+p0 213 9+-+-wq-+p0 213 9-zP-+-+p+0 9mK-+-+-zP-0 9-+-+-+P+0 9zP-wQ-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Qe5-e4+ 78.Kc6-d6 2.31/20 ] 53...Kd6xd5 [ 53...Qg4-d1+ Kc7-b8 68.Qe3-b6+ Kb8-a8 69.a5-a6 Qd7-d3+ 70.Ka3-a4 Qd3-c2+ 71.Ka4-a5 Qc2-a2+ 72.Ka5-b5 Qa2-e2+ 73.Kb5-c5 Qe2-f2+ 74.Kc5-c6 Qf2-f3+ 75.Kc6-d7 Qf3-d5+ 76.Kd7-c7 Qd5-e5+ 77.Kc7-c6

Levon Aronian's Best Games there is nothing better in the position there is nothing better in the position 54.Ka1-b2 Qd1xd5+- ;Houdini annotates: 53...Qg4-d1+ 54.Ka1-b2 Qd1xd5 55.a3-a4 Qd5-e5+ 56.Kb2-c2 Qe5-e4+ 57.Kc2-c3 Qe4-c6+ 58.Kc3-b3 Qc6-d5+ 59.Kb3-a3 Kd6-c6 60.a4-a5 Kc6-b7 61.Qf2-b6+ Kb7-a8 62.Qb6-e3 Ka8-b7 63.Ka3-b2 Qd5-c4 64.Qe3-b6+ Kb7-a8 65.a5-a6 Qc4-e2+ 66.Kb2-a3 Qe2-d3+ 67.Ka3-a4 Qd3-c2+ 68.Ka4-a5 Qc2-a2+ 69.Ka5-b5 Qa2-e2+ 70.Kb5-c5 Qe2-f2+ 71.Kc5-c6 Qf2-f3+ 67.Qf6-f5+ Kh5-h4 68.Qf5-h7+ Kh4-g5 69.a4-a5 Kg5-f6 70.a5-a6 Kf6-g5 71.a6-a7 Kg5-f4 72.a7-a8Q Kf4-g3 73.Qh7-c7+ Kg3-f2 74.Qc7-f4+ Kf2-e2 75.Qf4xg4+ Ke2-e1 76.Qa8-a1+ Ke1-d2 77.Qa1-c1+ Kd2-d3 78.Qg4-c4# #26/22 ] 1-0

281 72.Kc6-d7 Qf3-d5+ 73.Kd7-c7 Qd5-e5+ 74.Kc7-c6 Qe5-e4+ 75.Kc6-c5 Qe4-e3+ 76.Kc5-c6 Qe3-e6+ 77.Kc6-c7 Qe6-e5+ 78.Kc7-c6 2.42/19 ] 54.Qf2-c5+ [ 54.Qf2-c5+ Kd5-e4 55.Qc5-c4+ Ke4-f5 56.Qc4xg4+ Kf5xg4 57.b4-b5+- ;Houdini annotates: 54.Qf2-c5+ Kd5-e4 55.Qc5-c4+ Ke4-f5 56.Qc4xg4+ Kf5xg4 57.b4-b5 Kg4-h5 58.b5-b6 h7-h6 59.g5xh6 Kh5xh6 60.b6-b7 Kh6-h5 61.b7-b8Q Kh5xh4 62.Qb8-f4+ Kh4-h5 63.Ka1-b2 g6-g5 64.Qf4-f7+ Kh5-g4 65.Qf7-f6 Kg4-h5 66.a3-a4 g5-g4

Levon Aronian's Best Games

282

37 Levon Aronian Yifan Hou Tata Steel Chess (8)

14. Qxe4 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Qxf3 16. gxf3 Bd6 20.01.2013

A18: English: Mikenas, Flohr, 4…d4 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. e4 d5

4. e5 d4 5. exf6 dxc3 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 e5 8. Bd3 Bg4 9. Be4 Nd7 10. Bxb7

Rb8 11. Bd5 c6 12. Be4 Nc5 13. Qe2 Nxe4

17. Kd1 Kd7 18. Kc2 f5 19. d3 Rhf8 20. Rg1 g6 21. Bh6 Rf7 22. Rad1 Ke6 23. Bc1 Rb6 24. f4 Ra6 25. fxe5 Rxa2+ 26. Kb1 Rxf2 27. exd6 Rb7+ 28. Ka1 Kxd6 29. Rd2 Rf3 30. Re1 Rd7 31. Kb1 g5 32. Kc2 f4 33. Ba3+ Kc7 34.d4 g4 35. d5 cxd5 36. cxd5 h5 37. Be7 g3 38. Re5 Re3 39. d6+ Kc6 40. Rxh5 1-0

283

Levon Aronian's Best Games 38 Levon Aronian Vladimir Kramnik Alekhine Memorial (2) Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3

20.04.2013 E10

d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4

20...exf5 21. Bxf5 Rd8 22. Rd1 Ng6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. d5 Qc4 25. d6 Qe6 26. Qg3 b5 27. h3 a6 28. Qe3 Rd7 29. Qc5 Kh7 30. Qd5 Qe8 31. Rc1 Qd8 32. Rc6 Qg5 33. Qd4 Rd8 34. Rc5 Qg3 35. Qf2 Qxf2+ 36. Kxf2 f6 37. Rc6 fxe5 38. Ke3 Kg8 39. Ke4 Kf7 40. Kd5 a5 41. Rc5 b4 42. Rxa5 Kf6 43. Ra7 Rb8 44. Kc6 b3 45. axb3 Rxb3 46. Ra8 Rc3+ 47.Kd7 e4 48. Rf8+ Kg5 49. Ke7 e3 50. d7 e2 51. d8=Q e1=Q+ 52. Kd6+ Qe7+ 1-0

6… Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Bb4+ 9. Bd2 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 O-O 11. Rc1 b6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. O-O Nd7 14. Qe3 Rc8 15. e5 Bxf3 16. Qxf3 Qh4 17. Qe3 Rfd8 18. f4 Nf8 19. Rxc8 Rxc8 20. f5

Levon Aronian's Best Games 39 Levon Aronian Hikaru Nakamura Norway Chess Tournament (2) Slav: Exchange, 4.Bf4

284

2013.05.09

D10

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5 cxd5 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. e3 Nf6 6. Nc3 Bg4 7. Qb3 Na5 25...Rc7 26. Qxe3 Bg6 27. Bxg6 fxg6 28. Rfe1 Qe6 29. a3 g5 30. Rc4 Qd5 31. Qe4 Qxe4 32. Rcxe4 Rd8 33. R1e3 Kh7 34.Kf2 a5 35. Rc3 Ra8 36. Ke3 Ra6 37. Nc4 Ne7 38. Nb6

8.Qa4+ Bd7 9. Bb5 Nc6 10. Qd1 a6 11. Bd3 Bg4 12. Nge2 e6 13. O-O Be7 14. Rc1 O-O 15. Na4 Rc8 16. f3 Bh5 17. Nc5 Bxc5 18. dxc5 e5 19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxf6 Qxf6 21. Ng3 Qg5 22. Qd2 d4 23. Qe1 dxe3 24.Ne4 Qe7 25. Nd6 38...a4 39. Kd2 Ra5 40. Nxa4 Nd5 41. Rc2 Nf4 42. Kc1 Rc6 43. Kb1 g4 44. fxg4 Nd3 45. Re3 Nf4 46. b3 Re6 47. Kb2 Nd5 48. Re4 Nf6 49. Rec4 e4 50. Nb6 Nxg4 51. b4 Ra6 52. Re2 Nxh2 53. Rcxe4 Rg6 54. Re7 Ra7 55. a4 Nf1 56. b5 Ng3 57. Rf2 Rg5 58. c6 Rxa4 59. Nxa4 Rxb5+ 60. Kc2 bxc6 61. Nc3 Ra5 62. Rff7 Nf5 63. Ra7 Re5 64. g4 Nd4+ 65. Kd2 Ne6 66. Rf5 Nd4 67. Rxe5 Nf3+ 68. Ke3 Nxe5 69.Kf4 Ng6+ 70. Ke4 1-0

Levon Aronian's Best Games

285

Levon Aronian's Best Games

286

40 Levon Aronian Maxime Vachier-Lagrave Bilbao Masters (4)

2013.10.10

English: Anglo-Indian, 2.Nc3 A16

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d37...h6 8. b4 d6 9. Rb1 a6 10. a4 Ne7 11. Ba3 c6 12. c5 Re8 13. e4 Bg4 14. Qb3 Nd7 15. Nd2 Nc8 Qc2 Bf8 17. cxd6 Nxd6 18. Nb3 b5 19. h3 Be6 20. Rfd1 bxa4 21. Nxa4 Nb5 22.Bb2 Bxb3 23. Qxb3 c5 24. Rbc1 Rb8 25. Qa2 cxb4 26. Rc6 Kg7 27. d4 b3 28. Qb1 exd4 29. Bxd4+ Nxd4

30. Rxd4 Qa5 31. Rxd7 Qxa4 32. e5 Re7 33. Rdd6 Qa2 34. Rxg6+ fxg6 35. Qxg6+ Kh8 36. Bd5 Rg7 37. Qxh6+ Rh7 38. Qe6 Qb1+ 39. Kg2 Rg7 40. Rc8 Rxc8 41. Qxc8 Rg8 42. Qb7 Qh7 43. Qxb3 Rg5 44. Qe3 Qe7 45. f4 Rg7 46. f5 Qg5 47. Qxg5 Rxg5 48. g4 Bg7 49. e6 Bf6 50. Kg3 a5 51. h4 Rg8 52. g5 Kg7 53. Kf4 Rh8 54. Kg4 Rb8 55. gxf6+ Kxf6 56. e7 a4 0-1

287

Levon Aronian's Best Games 41 Anish Giri Levon Aronian FIDE World Team Championship (8) Spanish: 4.Ba4

2013.12.04

C70

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bg5 Qxd1 12. Rxd1 Nxe4 13. Bxe7 Nxe7 14. Nxe5 Nc5 15. Nd2 Nxb3 16. Nxb3 f6 17. Nd7 Re8 18. Na5 Nf5 19. Nc5 Nd6 20. Nd3 Rb8 21. Nc6

31. Nc3 Rcd6 32. Rxd6 Rxd6 33. Nfd5 c6 34. Ne4 Rd7 35. Ndc3 f5 36. Ng5 Nc5 37. Nxf7 Kxf7 38. Ke2 Nxb3 39. Rb1 Rb7 40. Ke3 Ke7 41. h4 Kd6 42. Kf4 Kc5 43. Nd1 Kb4 44. Ne3 Kxa4 45. Nc2 Rd7 46. Rb2 Nc5 47. Rb6 21...Rb6 22. Ncxb4 Bb7 23. b3 a5 24. Na2 Be4 25. Nc3 Bg6 26. Nd5 Rc6 27. c4 Kf8 28.Rac1 Nb7 29. Kf1 Rd8 30. N3f4 Bf7

Rd6 48. Kxf5 Rf6+ 49. Kg4 Nd3 50. Kg3 Nb4 51. Nd4 Rd6 52. Nf5 Rf6 53. Nd4 Rd6 54. Nf5 Rd3+ 55. f3 g6 56. Ne7 Rd7 57. Ng8 Rf7 58. Nh6 Re7 0-1

Levon Aronian's Best Games 42 Levon Aronian Fabiano Caruana Tata Steel Chess (2) Reti: 1...Nf6

288

2014.01.12

A05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. d4 Nxc3 6. bxc3 g6 7. Bf4 Bg7 8. e3 O-O 9. Bd3 Nd7 10. O-O Qa5 11. Qc2 cxd4 12. cxd4 e5 13. Bg3 exd4 14. Nxd4 Nb6

15. Qc7 Bxd4 16. exd4 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Qxf5 18. Qxb7 Rfd8 19. Rfd1 Rd7 20. Qa6 Qe4 21. Be5 Rf8 22. h3 f6 23. Bg3 Rff7 24. f3 Qf5 25. Rac1 Kg7 26. Kh2 Rfe7 27. Rc5 Nd5 28. Qa5 Qe6 29. Re1 Qf7 30. Re4 Ne3 31. Bf2 Nf5 32. Qd2 Re6 33. Rxe6 Qxe6 34. d5 Qd6+ 35. Kg1 Rb7 36. Qe1 Ne7 37. Ra5 Nxd5 38. Qd1 Rd7 39. Rxa7 Rxa7 40. Bxa7 g5 41. a4 Qa6 42. Bd4 Qc4 43. Qa1 Qc2 44. a5 Nf4 45. Bf2 Ne2+ 46. Kh2 Nf4 47. Qf1 Nd3 48. Bd4 Qd2 49. Bg1 Qf4+ 50. Kh1 Qc4 51. Qa1 Qc2 52. Be3 h6 53. a6 Qe2 54. Qg1 Qa2 55. a7 Nb4 56. Qd1 Nd5 57. Qd2 Qa1+ 58. Bg1 1-0

289

Levon Aronian's Best Games 43 Levon Aronian Hikaru Nakamura Zurich Chess Challenge (4) Reti: 1...Nf6

2014.02.02

A05

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. g3 d6 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d4 a6 8. h3 Rb8 9. e4 b5 10. d5 b4 11. Ne2 Na5 12. Qc2 c6 13. Nfd4 cxd5 14. exd5 Qc7 15. b3 e5 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. a3 bxa3 18. Bd2 Nb7 19. Rxa3 e5 20. Nc6 Ra8 21. Nb4 a5 22. Qa2 Bf5 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5+ Kh8 25. b4 Bxh3 26. Rb1 Bf5 27. Rb2 Bd7 28. bxa5

41. Qe3+ Kh5 42. g4+ Kh4 43. Qh6+ Kxg4

44. Qh3+ Kf4 45. Rf3+ 1-0

28...Bc6 29. Nc3 Nc5 30. Be3 e4 31. a6 Nd3 32. Rb7 Qc8 33. Nxe4 Bxd5 34. cxd5 Qg4 35. Rxd3 Qxe4 36. Rdb3 Qxd5 37. Qe2 Qc6 38. a7 d5 39. Rxg7 Kxg7 40. Bd4+ Kh6

290

Levon Aronian's Best Games 44 Levon Aronian Fabiano Caruana 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 (1) Neo-Indian: 3.Nf3

2015.08.23

E10

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 Ne4 8. Rc1 Nxc3 9. Rxc3

Nd4

26. Qh5 Nxc2 27. Nxg5 Bf5 28. Rf1

9....b6 10. c6 Nf6 11. a3 a5 12. Bd3 Ne4 13. Rc2 f6 14. Qe2 Bd6 15. O-O g5 16. Bxd6 Nxd6 17. Re1 a4 18. Nd2 e5 19. e4 f5 20. f3 dxe4 21. fxe4 Ra5 22.exf5 Nxf5 23. Bc4+ Kg7 24. d5 Re8 25. Ne4

Qf6 (28... Bg6 29. Rf7+) 29. Ne6+ Rxe6 30. Rxf5 Qg6 31. dxe6 Qxh5 32. Rxh5 Nd4 33. e7 Ra8 34. Rxe5 Re8 35. Re4 Nf5 36. Be6 Nd6 37. Bd7 Nxe4 38. Bxe8 Kf6 39. Bg6 1-0

Levon Aronian's Best Games

291

292

Levon Aronian's Best Games 45 Wesley So Levon Aronian 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 (4) Nimzo-Indian: 4.f3 c5

2015.08.26

E20

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. f3 c5 5. d5 O-O 6. e4 d6 7. Ne2 a6 8. a4 Ba5 9. Bd2 exd5 10. cxd5 Nh5 11. g3 Nd7 12. Bg2 b5 13. g4 b4 14. Nb1 17. gxh5 Nxf3 18. Bf2 Bg4 19. Qc1 Nd4 20. Nxd4 cxd4 21. e5 dxe5 22.Nd2 Rac8 23. Qb1 b3

14...Qh4+ 15. Kf1 Ne5 16. Be1 Qf6

24. Nxb3 Bb6 25. a5 Ba7 26. Kg1 Bf5 27. Be4 Qg5+ 28. Kf1 Qf4 0-1

293

Levon Aronian's Best Games 46 Hikaru Nakamura Levon Aronian 3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 (7) Spanish: 4.Ba4

2015.08.29

C70

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4 b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8

12. Nbd2 h6 13. Bc4 Bd6 14. a5 Re8 15. Bd3 Nd7 16. b3 Nc5 17. Bc4 Be6 18. Bb2 f6 19. Bxe6+ Rxe6 20. Nc4 Rb8 21. Nfd2 Rb5 22. Ra2 Nb7 23. Rea1 Bc5 24. Kf1 Re7 25. Ke2 Rd7 26. Nf1 Bd4 27. Nfe3 Bxe3 28. Nxe3 Kf7 29. f3 Ke6 30. g4 Nc5 31. Nc4 Ke7 32. Bc1 Ne6 33. Be3 Ncd4+ 34. Kf2 Ng5 35. Bxg5 fxg5 36. Rd1 Ke6 37. Rd3 Rf7 38. Ra1 Rb8 39. Rad1 Rbf8

40. Nxe5 Kxe5 41. Rxd4 Rxf3+ 42. Ke2 Rf2+ 43. Ke1 Rf1+ 44. Ke2 R8f2+ 45. Ke3 Rf3+ 46. Ke2 R1f2+ 47. Ke1 Rxh2 48. Rd5+ Kf4 49. R1d4 Kxg4 50. Rc5 Rg3 51. Kf1 Rc3 0-1

294

Levon Aronian's Best Games

INDEX Openings and Players (bold numbers are game numbers) A16: English Anglo-Indian 40 A18: English 37 A29: English Opening: Four Knights, 195, 232 A36: Symmetrical English vs ...g6: 4, 225 A53: Old Indian, 14 Alexander Morozevich, 111, 144 Alexey Shirov, 118 Andrei Volokitin, 127 Anish Giri, 221, 41 B01: Scandinavian Defence, 29 B23: Closed Sicilian: Lines without g3, 1

D20: Queen's Gambit Accepted, 180 D23: Queen's Gambit Accepted: 3 Nf3, 131 D24: Queen's Gambit Accepted, 244 D27: Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical main line: 7 e4!? and 7 a4, 111 D31: Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi- Slav without ...Nf6 (+ Marshall Gambit and Noteboom) and Exchange Variation lines without ...Nf6, 88 D45: Semi-Slav: 5 e3, 34, 151 D46: Semi-Slav: 5 e3 Nbd7 6 Bd3, Black avoids the Meran, 131

B30: Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3 Bb5, lines without ...g6, 24, 40

D60: Queen's Gambit Declined: Classical: Unusual White 7th moves, 53

Boris Gelfand, 184

D70: Grünfeld: Unusual White 3rd moves (met by ...d5), 242

Boris Savchenko, 191 C45: Scotch Game, 191

D94: Grünfeld: 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 e3, 127 David Navara, 94

C60: Ruy Lopez: Unusual Black 3rd moves and 3...g6, 163

E01: Catalan: Early deviations, 184

C70: Ruy Lopez 4.Ba4, 41, 46

E04: Open Catalan: 5 Nf3, 144

C84: Closed Ruy Lopez: Unusual White, 208

E10: Neo Indian: 38,44

C89: Closed Ruy Lopez: Marshall, 118, 121

E15: Queen's Indian: 4 g3 sidelines, 4 g3 Ba6 and 4 g3 Bb7 early deviations, 69

Constantin Ionescu, 14 D01: Veresov Opening, 9 D10: Slav: Exchange 39 D12: Slav Defence: 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 Bf5, 137

E17: Queen's Indian: 4 g3 Bb7 5 Bg2, 94 E20: Nimzo-Indian: 4 g3 and 4 f3, 75 E35: Nimzo-Indian: Classical: 4...d5 5 cxd5 exd5, 93

295

Levon Aronian's Best Games E99: King's Indian, 172

MVL 40

Etienne Bacrot, 75

Peter Leko, 163

Fabiano Caruana, 242, 42,44

Ruslan Ponomariov, 53

Francisco Vallejo-Pons, 88

Reti 1...Nf6 42,43

Gata Kamsky, 208

Saidali Iuldachev, 40

Hannes Stefansson, 34

Sergei Beshukov, 24

Hikaru Nakamura, 172, 232, 39,43

Slobodan Munizaba, 1

Hou Yifan 37

Wesley So 45

Hrvoje Stevic, 180

Valerij Popov, 44

Iroda Khamrakulova, 9

Veselin Topalov, 69

Ivan Sokolov, 93

Viswanathan Anand, 121,131,137,244

Magnus Carlsen, 225

Vladimir Kramnik 38

296

Levon Aronian's Best Games Numbers refer to Game numbers.

Selected Endgames Pure Rook Rook vs Pawns Rook and Knight Double Rook Ending Pure Queen Queen vs Rook and Minor Pieces Queen and one Minor Piece

15,35 17 41 46 31 1 42

Selected Sacrifices Pawn Sacrifices Exchange Sacrifices Knight Sacrifices Bishop Sacrifices Rook Sacrifices Queen Sacrifices

40,41 35,44 45 22,27 40,43,44 29,30

Selected Strategic Themes Material for Piece Mobility Good Bishop vs Bad Bishop Bishop vs Active Knight Doubled Isolated Pawns Pawn Break for Attack (f5) Knight Outpost

41 6 11 37 38 39

Brilliancy - showered Gold coins on the chessboard! Double Exclamation moves!!

1,2,4,6,7,20,21,27,44,45

Levon Aronian's Best Games

297

Levon Aronian's Best Games

298

Levon Aronian's Best Games

299